Impact of Barge Traffic on Stream Reaeration: Laboratory Experiments

Abstract

Stream reaeration has been studied extensively for several decades, yet little is known about the effect of barge traffic in rivers and canals. To address this lack of knowledge, a laboratory stream model was constructed that consists of a circular duct where model barges were towed at different traffic velocities and frequencies under various water conditions. Dissolved oxygen levels were monitored after initial deoxygenation. Excluding the effect of wind and flow, the reaeration coefficient (overall gas transfer coefficient) in the laboratory system increased as barge speed and traffic frequency (number of barge passages per hour) increased. The reaeration coefficient due to moving barges is inversely related to water depth. Finally, the reaeration coefficient due to moving barges is proportional to barge size, channel size, load, and draft.