Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
A complete understanding of nitrate partitioning between water and sediments is absolutely necessary to quantify eutrophication and other harmful effects of nitrate addition to a lake. The bottom sediments can act both as source and sink for nitrates. Turbulent conditions induced by wind forces cause sediments to suspend in the water column. During suspension sediments adsorb/release nitrates and other contaminants into the ambient water. This study investigated the effects of temperature, sediment and nitrate concentration on the exchange and partitioning of nitrates between water and sediments. The Langmuir adsorption model was used to quantify the adsorption/desorption processes. A decrease in the value of partition coefficient with increase in sediment concentration was observed. The laboratory experiments revealed that an increase in temperature of the water column favored the adsorption of nitrates by the bottom sediments. The nitrate diffusion coefficients were estimated by utilizing Fick's second law of diffusion. Sediment concentration profiles were strongly dependant on the oscillating-grid induced turbulence effects.
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