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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Oxford, Mississippi » National Sedimentation Laboratory » Watershed Physical Processes Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #353948
Research Project: Computational Tools and a Decision Support System for Management of Sediment and Water Quality in Agricultural Watersheds

Location: Watershed Physical Processes Research

Title: Receiving water quality models for TMDL development and implementation

Author
item CAMACHO, RENE - Tetra Tech
item ZHANG, ZHONGLONG - Limno Technology
item CHAO, XIAOBO - University Of Mississippi

Submitted to: Journal Hydrologic Engineering
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/10/2018
Publication Date: 11/21/2018
Citation: Camacho, R., Zhang, Z., Chao, X. 2018. Receiving water quality models for TMDL development and implementation. Journal Hydrologic Engineering. 24(2):04018063.

Interpretive Summary: Water quality is one the most important factors affecting human’s living environment. In highly developed societies, the quality of the surface waters is degraded often by industries, agriculture and other activities. Water quality models are critical tools to understand the processes in a systematic way, so the Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) criteria and water quality management alternatives can be developed for stakeholders and state environmental protection agencies. This paper presents a review of the state of art modeling approaches to evaluate eutrophication processes such as nutrient cycling, algae dynamics, carbon and dissolved oxygen as well as modeling approaches to simulate toxic chemicals and mercury. The main capabilities and limitations of 11 widely used water quality models in the United States are addressed.

Technical Abstract: Water quality models are critical tools for the development of Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) and 10 for the evaluation of water quality management alternatives by stakeholders and state environmental 11 protection agencies. At present, there is a large availability of water quality models that can be used to 12 support TMDL studies. The selection of a particular model, however, can be overwhelming if the 13 limitations, capabilities and data requirements of the available models are not clear for the user. The 14 ASCE/EWRI TMDL Analysis and Modeling Task Committee was established in part to produce guidance 15 documentation to help modelers to identify current modeling approaches to address some of the most 16 important causes of water quality impairment in the United States. This paper presents a review of existing 17 modeling approaches to evaluate conventional eutrophication processes such as nutrient cycling, algae 18 dynamics, carbon and dissolved oxygen as well as a review of modeling approaches to simulate toxic 19 chemicals and mercury. The main capabilities and limitations of 11 widely used receiving water quality 20 models in the United States are also discussed. By better understanding the capabilities and limitations of 21 existing receiving water quality models, modelers can make informed decisions of model selection and 22 facilitate an effective and successful application of models for TMDL development.