thumbnail

Determination of stream reaeration coefficients by use of tracers

Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations 03-A18
By: , , , , and 
https://doi.org/10.3133/twri03A18

Links

Abstract

Stream reaeration is the physical absorption of oxygen from the atmosphere by a flowing stream. This is the primary process by which a stream replenishes the oxygen consumed in the biodegradation of organic wastes. Prior to 1965, reaeration rate coefficients could be estimated only by indirect methods. In 1965, a direct method of measuring stream reaeration coefficients was developed whereby a radioactive tracer gas was injected into a stream-the principle being that the tracer gas would be desorbed from the stream inversely to how oxygen would be absorbed. The technique has since been modified by substituting hydrocarbon gases for the radioactive tracer gas. This manual describes the slug-injection and constant-rate-injection methods of measuring gas-tracer desorption. Emphasis is on the use of rhodamine WT dye as a relatively conservative tracer and propane as the nonconservative gas tracer, on planning field tests, on methods of injection, sampling, and analysis, and on techniques for computing desorption and reaeration coefficients.

Suggested Citation

Kilpatrick, F.A., Rathbun, R.E., Yotsukura, N., Parker, G., DeLong, L.L., 1989, Determination of stream reaeration coefficients by use of tracers: U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations 03-A18, x, 52 p. :ill. ;28 cm., https://doi.org/10.3133/twri03A18.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Determination of stream reaeration coefficients by use of tracers
Series title Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations
Series number 03-A18
DOI 10.3133/twri03A18
Year Published 1989
Language ENGLISH
Publisher U.S. G.P.O. ;for sale by Books and Open-File Reports Section, U.S. Geological Survey,
Description x, 52 p. :ill. ;28 cm.
Additional publication details