Numerical modelling of sediment-bacteria interaction processes in surface waters

Abstract

Faecal bacteria exist in both free-living and attached forms in surface waters. The deposition of sediments can take faecal bacteria out of the water column and to the bed. The sediments can subsequently be re-suspended into the water column, which can then lead to the re-suspension of the faecal bacteria of the attached form back into the water column, where it may desorb from the sediments. Therefore, the fate and transport of faecal bacteria is highly related to the governing sediment transport processes, particularly where these processes are significant. However, little attempt has been made to model such processes in terms of predicting the impact of the sediment fluxes on faecal bacteria levels. Details are given of the refinement of a numerical model of faecal bacteria transport, where the sediment transport processes are significant. This model is based on the model DIVAST (Depth Integrated Velocities And Solute Transport). Analytical solutions for steady and uniform flow conditions were derived and used to test the sediment-bacteria interaction model. After testing the sediment-bacteria interaction model favourably against known results, the model was then set up for idealized case studies to investigate the effects of sediment on bacteria concentrations in the water column. Finally the model was applied to a simplified artificial flooding study to investigate the impact of suspended sediment fluxes on the corresponding bacteria transport processes. The model predictions have proved to be encouraging, with the results being compared to field measurements.