Model of Dispersion in Coastal Waters

Abstract

A mathematical model that predicts the far field dispersion of wastewater discharged from ocean outfalls is presented. The model is a Lagrangian random walk‐type simulation and directly uses the data obtained from spatially distributed, continuously recording, current meters. Such data are frequently obtained during the design of major ocean outfalls. The model is tested by using measured current meter data to predict the concentration distribution resulting from instantaneous and continuous point source releases during stratified and unstratified periods. Predictions of the temporal and spatial variations of maximum concentration, diffusing cloud size, and diffusion coefficient were found to be in excellent agreement with previous field studies.