The Effect of Predictive Reaeration Estimation Equation on Stream Water Quality Modeling

DO concentration in the aquatic system is important for the water quality management perspective. Water quality model uses available reaeration coefficient (K2) estimation equations in calculating DO, however, they might include inevitable uncertainty that the model output can be less reliable. In this study, the calibrated QUAL2E model for the Passaic River in New Jersey, U.S., was used to examine the effect of K2 estimation equation on the output DO concentration of the river. The model was run with six commonly used equations separately with all the other conditions remained same. The result showed that the output DO concentration profiles varied widely with different equations, and maximum difference was 4.96 mg/L for the same location which is unacceptably large. It implies that the development of reliable equation is required for proper water quality management. The unreliable model output can lead to a wrong decision in water quality management such as unnecessarily high or too low treatment of wastewater, which will cause serious effect on the community economically and socially in either case. Generating more reliable model output with slight investment to develop a site specific K$_2$ equation can improve the decision making process significantly and is highly recommended.