Modelling in-stream temperature and dissolved oxygen at sub-daily time steps: an application to the River Kennet, UK

Williams, Richard J.; Boorman, David B.. 2012 Modelling in-stream temperature and dissolved oxygen at sub-daily time steps: an application to the River Kennet, UK. Science of the Total Environment, 423. 104-110. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.01.054

Full text not available from this repository.

Abstract/Summary

The River Kennet in southern England shows a clear diurnal signal in both water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations through the summer months. The water quality model QUESTOR was applied in a stepwise manner (adding modelled processes or additional data) to simulate the flow, water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentrations along a 14 km reach. The aim of the stepwise model building was to find the simplest process-based model which simulated the observed behaviour accurately. The upstream boundary used was a diurnal signal of hourly measurements of water temperature and dissolved oxygen. In the initial simulations, the amplitude of the signal quickly reduced to zero as it was routed through the model; a behaviour not seen in the observed data. In order to keep the correct timing and amplitude of water temperature a heating term had to be introduced into the model. For dissolved oxygen, primary production from macrophytes was introduced to better simulate the oxygen pattern. Following the modifications an excellent simulation of both water temperature and dissolved oxygen was possible at an hourly resolution. It is interesting to note that it was not necessary to include nutrient limitation to the primary production model. The resulting model is not sufficiently proven to support river management but suggests that the approach has some validity and merits further development.

Item Type:	Article
Identification Number/DOI:	10.1016/j.scitotenv.2012.01.054
Programmes:	CEH Topics & Objectives 2009 onwards > Water > WA Topic 3 - Science for Water Management > WA - 3.4 - Develop novel and improved methods to enable the sustainable management of freshwaters and wetlands
CEH Sections:	Boorman
ISSN:	0048-9697
Additional Keywords:	modelling, QUESTOR, dissolved oxygen, water temperature, Kennet, water quality
NORA Subject Terms:	Ecology and Environment Hydrology
Date made live:	22 Mar 2012 12:52
URI:	http://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/17295

Actions (login required)

View Item