FINITE SECTIONS MODEL FOR WATER QUALITY SIMULATION IN STREAMS

Abstract

A numerical model for simulating water quality in rivers and streams is developed in this thesis. The model is based on the mass balance concept and is formulated numerically using the finite sections method. The proposed model was verified by comparing its results with available analytical solutions, and this comparison showed good agreement. The model. sensitivity was tested for both the number of sections and the time increment, and it was sensitive to both of them. It can be used to simulate the steady and unsteady states for single and coupled systems due to point and distributed loads for the cases of dispersive or non-dispersive streams. The model does not solve the saint-Venant equation and hence it does not provide full description of the system hydraulics. The model was applied to El-Salam canal to investigate the future water salinity when the canal is put to use. Acceptable results were obtained.