Arc StormSurge: Integrating Hurricane Storm Surge Modeling and GIS

Arc StormSurge is a data model that integrates geographic information systems and the hurricane wave and surge model SWAN+ADCIRC, which is the coupling of the Simulating WAves Nearshore (SWAN) wave model and the Advanced Circulation (ADCIRC) hydrodynamic model. The Arc StormSurge data model is a geodatabase, which is a relational database that can contain georeferenced information. It includes feature classes in feature datasets and tables, all related among them through relationship classes, and raster catalogs and grids. In addition to the data model schema, Arc StormSurge includes a number of pre‐ and post‐processing tools that help integrate spatial data and numerical modeling. As an illustration, Arc StormSurge was used to support the modeling of Hurricane Bret, which made landfall in the Corpus Christi area in Texas in 1999. By using Arc StormSurge, it was possible to take advantage of already available geo‐referenced information (e.g., base maps, land cover datasets, and monitoring station locations) for the model setup, and for identifying spatial patterns in the model results by presenting them in map format.     

Introduction to the special issue of Ecological Modelling: “Advances in Modeling Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems: Approaches, Validation, and Applications”

The development and application of ecosystem models in estuarine and coastal systems has grown exponentially over the past four decades. Models have become ensconced as major tools for both heuristic study of ecosystem structure and function as well as for informing management decisions, particularly with respect to cultural eutrophication. In recent years an ever-expanding toolbox of modeling approaches is being offered to complement traditional methods. This expansion of modeling in estuarine and coastal science was exemplified by four sessions devoted to modeling at the 2007 biennial conference of the Estuarine Research Federation in Providence, RI. We felt the time was right to propose a special session of Ecological Modelling to synthesize talks from these sessions to present the state of the art in coastal and estuarine modeling. The collection of papers contained in this special issue presents a diversity of traditional and novel modeling approaches, methods for assessing model validity and predictability, and the utility of models in management applications. We believe that together these papers provide an excellent overview of current approaches to modeling estuarine hydrodynamics, water quality, and ecosystem/food web dynamics, applications of complex and relatively simple modeling approaches, applications in both deep and shallow coastal systems, goals relevant for both heuristic and management applications, and perspectives based on traditional mechanistic model development as well as more recent alternative approaches.     

梯形渠道岸边排污浓度分布的理论分析

从无限区域圆形瞬时源扩散的浓度分布公式人手,推导出梯形区域内瞬时线源扩散的近似浓度计算公式,进而得到了梯形渠道岸边排污的浓度分布公式计算公式表明,边坡倾角对污染物的浓度分布影响较大,浓度值随边坡倾角的增加而减小,近似遵循双曲线的递减规律.浓度分布解析解得到了扩散方程数值解的良好验证,两者在污染源附近有所差异,但随着距污染源距离的增加,计算结果愈加吻合,该解析公式可为天然河流岸边污染混合区的污染物浓度估算提供有力的工具.     

重庆主城区污水排放截流处理方案的比较

重庆市主城排水系统的污水处理方案从以自然汇水区为主的排水和处理方案转为集中截流处理。本文利用MIKE模型，对重庆市主城排水系统项目的各方案进行了比较，结合模型的解析结果，提出应结合三峡成库时间，采用分阶段逐步提高的最优方案。     

剪切作用对活性污泥沉降性能的影响

采用序批式活性污泥法系统(SBR)研究了搅拌型反应器中水流剪切应力对处理系统中活性污泥沉降性能的影响,通过微生物数量、絮凝体形态和微生物种群的观测分析,探讨了水流剪切应力影响活性污泥沉降性能的机制。结果表明:活性污泥的微生物数量和沉降指数随水流剪切应力增加先减少后增加,活性污泥的界面沉降速度随水流剪切应力的增加先增加后降低。水流剪切应力对活性污泥处理系统沉降性能的影响是通过剪切应力对微生物的选择作用实现的。     

三峡水库蓄水运行初期(2003—2012年)水环境演变特征的“四大效应”

自2003年三峡水库首次蓄水至2012年工程竣工验收启动,针对三峡水库蓄水运行初期的水环境演变研究较多,但整体性、综合性科学认识仍然缺乏.基于水环境多要素跟踪观测研究,综合采用现场观测、室内试验、数理统计、模型模拟、同位素及保守离子示踪等技术手段,系统剖析了特大型、高变幅水位水库运行背景下水动力变异及其所伴生的水环境演变特征,从水动力、水质、水生态、污染物输移角度,提出了三峡水库水环境演变过程中的“四大效应”,主要包括干支流水动力特性的“分化”效应、上游-干流-支流水质演变“同步”效应、水动力变化对藻类水华暴发的“胁迫”效应、水动力变化对同等负荷条件下污染源危害的“迭加”效应等.考虑到大型水库生态系统的演替和稳定是一个长期过程,建议继续强化长江上游梯级水电开发影响下的三峡水库水环境演变跟踪调查研究,适时开展三峡工程对库区水环境影响的后评估.      

太湖河道水深对底泥营养物质再释放过程的影响

河道中的底泥作为二次污染源,是影响河道水环境重要因素.太湖河口及调水区河流底泥氮磷的释放扩散受水动力条件的影响越来越受到人们的重视.本文用直水槽模拟河道的水动力条件改变,通过实验研究总磷、总氮在不同水深条件下水体中的浓度变化情况,探究底泥中营养物质在不同水深条件下的释放规律.本文从水流底部切应力和底部压强的角度,分析研究上覆水中总磷、总氮的平均释放速率.结果显示上覆水中的总磷随着底部切应力的增大,平均释放速率增大,随着底部压强的增大,平均释放速率减小,即与水深的变化成负相关;总氮则随着底部压强的增大,平均释放速率增大,即与水深的变化成正相关.     

A RATING-CURVE METHOD FOR HYDRODYNAMIC SIMULATIONS IN CONTAMINANT TRANSPORT MODELING1

ABSTRACT: Accurate prediction of hydrodynamics is of great importance to modeling contaminant transport and water quality in a river. Flow conditions are needed in estimating potential exposure contamination levels and the recovery time for a no-action alternative in contaminated sediments remediation. Considering highly meandering characteristics of the Buffalo River, New York, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model was selected to route upstream flows through the 8-km river section with limited existing information based on the model's fully predictive capability and process-oriented feature. The model was employed to simulate changes in water depth and flow velocity with space and time in response to variation in flow rate and/or water surface elevation at boundaries for given bottom morphometry and initial conditions. Flow conditions of the river reach where historical flow data are not available were computed. A rating-curve approach was developed to meet continuous and event contaminant modeling needs. Rating curves (depth-discharge and velocity-discharge relationships) were constructed at selected stations from the 3-D hydrodynamic simulations of individual flow events. The curves were obtained as steady solutions to an unsteady problem. The rating-curve approach serves to link flow information provided by the hydrodynamic model to a contaminant transport model. With the approach, the linking problem resulting from incompatible model dimensions and grid sizes can be solved. The curves will be used to simulate sediment movement and to predict contaminant fate and transport in the river.     

MODELING TIDAL HYDRODYNAMICS OF SAN DIEGO BAY,CALIFORNIA1

ABSTRACT: In 1983, current data were collected by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration using mechanical current meters. During 1992 through 1996, acoustic Doppler current profilers as well as mechanical current meters and tide gauges were used. These measurements not only document tides and tidal currents in San Diego Bay, but also provide independent data sets for model calibration and verification. A high resolution (100-m grid), depth-averaged, numerical hydrodynamic model has been implemented for San Diego Bay to describe essential tidal hydrodynamic processes in the bay. The model is calibrated using the 1983 data set and verified using the more recent 1992–1996 data. Discrepancies between model predictions and field data in both model calibration and verification are on the order of the magnitude of uncertainties in the field data. The calibrated and verified numerical model has been used to quantify residence time and dilution and flushing of contaminant effluent into San Diego Bay. Furthermore, the numerical model has become an important research tool in ongoing hydrodynamic and water quality studies and in guiding future field data collection programs.     

A SCALED HYDRAULIC MODEL OF THE PEACH BOTTOM ATOMIC POWER STATION DISCHARGE1

ABSTRACT: A scaled hydraulic model was used as a schematic representation of the Peach Bottom Atomic Power Station (PBAPS) discharge into Conowingo Pond during critically low river flows. The model approximated flow and temperature patterns and the degree of recirculation are assessed. Under normal operation the effluent is carried downstream and dissipated within about two miles. However, during dry weather years, river inflows can decrease substantially, resulting in unknown recirculation of effluent and flow patterns in Conowingo Pond. This study was conducted to investigate and predict flow patterns in Conowingo Pond under critically dry weather conditions. A threshold river flow is also identified that indicates a measure of the river's ability to maintain downstream advection of the effluent. The study suggests a number of unexpected current patterns, potential recirculation of the effluent, and changes in the dilution of the effluent.