QUAL2E: The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Models

DESCRIPTION

The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Model (QUAL2E) is applicable to well mixed, dendritic streams. It simulates the major reactions of nutrient cycles, algal production, benthic and carbonaceous demand, atmospheric reaeration and their effects on the dissolved oxygen balance. It can predict up to 15 water quality constituent concentrations. It is intended as a water quality planning tool for developing total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) and can also be used in conjunction with field sampling for identifying the magnitude and quality characteristics of nonpoint sources. By operating the model dynamically, the user can study diurnal dissolved oxygen variations and algal growth. However, the effects of dynamic forcing functions, such as headwater flows or point source loads, cannot be modeled with QUAL2E. QUAL2EU is an enhancement allowing users to perform three types of uncertainty analyses: sensitivity analysis, first order error analysis, and Monte Carlo simulation.

The Windows interface provides input screens to facilitate preparing model inputs and executing the model. It also has help screens and provides graphical viewing of input data and model results.

Keywords

description: water quality, river quality, oxygen, algae
objectives: simulation, planning
application: point sources, well mixed streams, nutrient cycles, dissolved oxygen balance

SOFTWARE AVAILABILITY

      
         The program is available at:      
             National Technical Information Service (NTIS)      
             5285 PORT ROYAL ROAD      
             Springfield, VA 22161      
             Telephone 703/487-4650      
         

AUTHORS

      
            Linfield C. Brown      
            Department of Civil Engineering,      
            Tufts university      
            Medford, MA 02155      
            and Thomas O. Barnwell, Jr.      
            Environmental Research laboratory      
            U.S. Environmental Protection Agency      
            Athens, GA 30613      
         

REFERENCES

• "The Enhanced Stream Water Quality Models QUAL2E and QUAL2E-UNCAS: Documentation and User's Manual." (EPA 600/3-87-007).NTIS Accession Number: PB87 202 156. Cost $ 62.00.

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