Computer simulation of mercury transport in the Carson River, Nevada
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States). Graduate Program of Hydrology/Hydrogeology
The area of investigation includes a portion of the Carson River from Carson City northeast through Lahontan Reservoir. An ongoing study funded by the NIEHS is aimed at using a computer simulation to model the transport and transformation of mercury (Hg) in the system. To simulate Hg fate and transport requires that each of the following be modeled independently: hydrodynamics using RIVMOD; sediment transport using RIVMOD and WASP4; and Hg transport and speciation using MERC4, a submodel of WASP4. The hydrodynamics of the narrow, rectangular Carson River channel and broad sloping floodplain, typical of river systems in the and west, was modeled successfully with significant modifications to the RIVMOD model code. Instabilities due to channel geometry and steep longitudinal profile were significantly reduced. Model calibration was completed using available data from the 1986 water year which is considered a flood year. A simulation of sediment transport through the system is currently being undertaken. Because of a lack of data within the study area, a very detailed study of the East Fork of the Carson River is being used as a guide to check model accuracy and for calibration and validation. Approximately 20 years of suspended sediment data at the Carson City and Fort Churchill stations will be used to calibrate the model of the river and reservoir system. During the upcoming summer field season, at least 3 detailed synoptic surveys of the system will be completed. Surface water will be sampled for the following parameters which are significant to Hg speciation: dissolved oxygen, sulfate, sulfide, dissolved organic carbon, and chloride. Surface water will be sampled for both inorganic and organic Hg species in both filtered and unfiltered water samples.
- OSTI ID:
- 40060
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9410273--
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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