Models of Sorptive Toxic Substances in Freshwater Systems. II: Lakes and Reservoirs

Abstract

Equations defining the distributions of suspended solids and sorptive substances in completely mixed lakes and reservoirs are developed and solved analytically. The relevant transport, transfer, and kinetic pathways are incorporated in the analysis of toxic chemicals for the condition of instantaneous equilibrium between the dissolved and particulate components. For this condition, the total concentration of the chemical is defined for the water column and bed, the equations for which are solved simultaneously. The partition coefficient and the concentration of solids yield the distribution between the dissolved and particulate components. The suspended solids relations, which are related to the “trap efficiency” of reservoirs, provide a necessary factor for the equations of the sorptive substances. The solutions of the differential equations are applied to the steady‐state and time‐variable conditions in lakes and reservoirs for various hydrological and mass input conditions.