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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Tifton, Georgia » Southeast Watershed Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #199131
Title: MATHEMATICAL SIMULATION TOOLS FOR DEVELOPING DISSOLVED OXYGEN TMDLS

Author
item VELLIDIS, GEORGE - UNIV OF GA
item BARNES, PHIL - KANSAS STATE UNIV
item Bosch, David
item CATHEY, ANNA - BUCK ENGINEERING

Submitted to: ASABE Annual International Meeting
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/22/2006
Publication Date: 7/22/2006
Citation: Vellidis, G., Barnes, P., Bosch, D.D., Cathey, A. 2006. Mathematical simulation tools for developing dissolved oxygen TMDLS. American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers Annual International Meeting. July 9 - 12, 2006, Portland, Oregon.

Interpretive Summary: The amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) in water is one of the most commonly used indicators of river and stream health. Under extended hypoxic (low DO) or anoxic (no DO) conditions, most higher forms of life are driven off or die. In many regions of the USA, low DO is a common fresh water impairment. States, Territories and Tribes of the USA are required by federal law to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for waters not meeting established DO standards. Regulators and other professionals are increasingly relying on mathematical simulation models to develop these TMDLs. This extended abstract provides an overview of methods commonly used to develop DO TMDLs. The results have significant implications for action agencies involved with TMDL development and implementation.

Technical Abstract: This paper presents an extended abstract of a research paper describing four commonly used dissolved oxygen (DO) simulation models. The concentration of DO in surface waters is one of the most commonly used indicators of river and stream health. Regulators and other professionals are increasingly relying on mathematical simulation models to develop DO Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs). The research paper presents a full description of many of the commonly used mathematical DO models and examples of their application. Many of the models currently available for TMDL DO analysis continue to be enhanced. The models continue to become more sophisticated and more representative of the natural environment. This technical abstract presents an overview of the findings of the more extensive research paper.