Model simulation of heavy metals in river systems: Case study the Negro river basin

• Published in: Revista Facultad de Ingeniería no. 92; pp. 19 - 35
• Main Authors: Palacio-Tobón, Carlos Alberto, Vieria-Agudelo, Sara Cristina, Saldarriaga-Molina, Julio César, Ruíz-Jaramillo, Luis Miguel
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Medellín Universidad de Antioquía 01-07-2019; Universidad de Antioquia
• Subjects: ADZ-QUASAR; Calibration; Chemical oxygen demand; Chromium; Computer simulation; Creeks & streams; Heavy metals; Methodology; model calibration; Monte Carlo simulation; Quasars; River basins; Rivers; sensitivity analysis; Surface water; surface water quality; uncertainty analysis; Water quality; Colombia
• ISSN: 0120-6230; 2422-2844
• DOI: 10.17533/udea.redin.20190514

This work describes a water quality model for heavy metals simulation in river systems. The proposed strategy comprises an 1D modeling approach with an ADZ-QUASAR extension to represent the behavior of heavy metals. This methodology seeks to strengthen their predictive capability based on the integration of variables which play an important role in the adsorption and desorption of these particles. The methodology was implemented in a reach of the Negro river (eastern side of Antioquia, Colombia), using Chromium, Copper and Nickel as heavy metals, because these are the heavy metals representative of the currents in the study area. Results are showing, with some degree of uncertainty, the capacity of the methodology to predict the behavior of environmental interesting substances, which makes it an important management tool.