USGS

Measurement of Discharge Using Tracers

U.S. Geological Survey, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, Book 3, Chapter A16

By Frederick A. Kilpatrick and Ernest D. Cobb


Table of Contents

Preface

Unit conversion

Symbols, definitions, and units

Equations

Abstract

Introduction

Theory

Slug injection

Constant-rate injection

Slug-injection method

Overview

Preparation

Reach selection

Estimation of needed tracer amounts

Preparation of injection solutions

Field equipment

Fluorometer calibration

Performance

Selection of measurement reach (1)

Background samples(2)

Dye injection (3)

Sampling the dye cloud (4)

Fluorometric analysis (5)

Data analysis and computation of discharge (6 and 7)

Alternative method of analysis and computation

Alternative method of measurement

Constant-rate injection method

Overview

Preparation

Selection of dye concentrations and injection rates

Preparation of injection solutions

Bulk solutions

Prepackaged dye quantities

Constant-rate injection equipment

Pumps

Mariotte vessels

Chemical-feed devices

Performance

Selection of measurement reach (1)

Background samples(2)

Dye preparation, injection, and sampling (3)

Measurement of injection rate (4)

Sampling the plateau (5)

Fluorometric analysis (6)

Computation of discharge (7)

Discussion

Measurements with less than optimum mixing

The use of relative concentrations

Relative concentrations based on stock solutions

Relative concentrations based on injected solutions

Mixing length

Injection schemes

Dye losses

Special measurement

Beneath ice

Site preparations

Tracer preparation and injection

Sampling

Analysis

Canals and pipes

Measurement during unsteady flow

Concepts

Results

Automatic dilution gaging

Injection system

Sample recovery system

Velocity area measurements

Selected bibliography

Appendix A - Computation of percentage mixing

Appendix B - Forms and sample computations


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