ABSTRACT
Water quality models have been developed for problems in three broad contexts: biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)/dissolved oxygen, eutrophication and nutrients, and toxic substances. This chapter deals with the kinetics of the first two problem areas which cover a wide spectrum of time and space scales in estuarine systems. It focuses on the derivation of the kinetic coefficients and technical issues associated with the derivation. The nitrogenous stages of the BOD test include conversion of organic nitrogen to ammonia and the subsequent oxidation of ammonia. In estuaries, reaeration has been computed as a function of bottom shear stress or evaluated as an empirical constant. The algal biomass produced in the spring months could contribute to the sediment oxygen demand or nutrient release for the sediment during the summer months. Nutrient reductions have been practiced in water quality management for many estuarine systems.
