Methods for studying dissolved oxygen levels in coastal and estuarine waters receiving combined sewer overflows

• Published in: Water science and technology 1995, Vol.32 (2), p.95-103
• Main Authors: Revilla, José A., Koev, Kalin N., Díaz, Rafael, Álvarez, César, Roldán, Antonio
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Brackishwater environment; Capacity; coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics; Coastal waters; Coastal zone; Coastal zones; Combined sewer overflows; Computer applications; Cost analysis; Dissolved oxygen; Estuaries; Estuarine dynamics; Interceptors; Mathematical analysis; Mathematical models; Modelling; Oxygen; Oxygen deficit; Probabilistic analysis; Q1; Receiving waters; Sewer systems; Statistical analysis; Statistical methods; water pollution
• ISSN: 0273-1223; 1996-9732
• DOI: 10.1016/0273-1223(95)00574-7

One factor in determining the transport capacity of coastal interceptors in Combined Sewer Systems (CSS) is the reduction of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) in coastal waters originating from the overflows. The study of the evolution of DO in coastal zones is complex. The high computational cost of using mathematical models discriminates against the required probabilistic analysis being undertaken. Alternative methods, based on such mathematical modelling. employed in a limited number of cases, are therefore needed. In this paper two alternative methods are presented for the study of oxygen deficit resulting from overflows of CSS. In the first, statistical analyses focus on the causes of the deficit (the volume discharged). The second concentrates on the effects (the concentrations of oxygen in the sea). Both methods have been applied in a study of the coastal interceptor at Pasajes Estuary (Guipúzcoa, Spain) with similar results.