thumbnail

Estimating the gas and dye quantities for modified tracer technique measurements of stream reaeration coefficients

Water-Resources Investigations Report 79-27
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/wri7927

Links

Abstract

Measuring the reaeration coefficient of a stream with a modified tracer technique has been accomplished by injecting either ethylene or ethylene and propane together and a rhodamine-WT dye solution into the stream. The movement of the tracers through the stream reach after injection is described by a one-dimensional diffusion equation. The peak concentrations of the tracers at the downstream end of the reach depend on the concentrations of the tracers in the stream at the injection site, the longitudinal dispersion coefficient, the mean water velocity, the length of the reach, and the duration of the injection period. The downstream gas concentrations also depend on the gas desorption coefficients of the reach. The concentrations of the tracer gases in the stream at the injection site depend on the flow rates of the gases through the injection diffusers, the efficiency of the gas absorption process, and the stream discharge. The concentration of dye in the stream at the injection site depends on the flow rate of the dye solution, the concentration of the dye solution, and the stream discharge. Equations for estimating the gas flow rates, the quantities of the gases, the dye concentration, and the quantity of dye together with procedures for determining the variables in these equations are presented. (Woodard-USGS)

Suggested Citation

Rathbun, R.E., 1979, Estimating the gas and dye quantities for modified tracer technique measurements of stream reaeration coefficients: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Resources Investigations Report 79-27, viii, 42 p. , https://doi.org/10.3133/wri7927.

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Estimating the gas and dye quantities for modified tracer technique measurements of stream reaeration coefficients
Series title Water-Resources Investigations Report
Series number 79-27
DOI 10.3133/wri7927
Year Published 1979
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Description viii, 42 p.
Additional publication details