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Lateral mixing in the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River
Author(s) -
Rathbun R. E.,
Rostad C. E.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/2003wr002381
Subject(s) - confluence , hydrology (agriculture) , dispersion (optics) , mixing (physics) , geology , tributary , environmental science , geotechnical engineering , geography , physics , cartography , quantum mechanics , computer science , optics , programming language
Lateral dispersion coefficients for two dispersants were determined for three sections of the Mississippi River below the confluence with the Ohio River. The dispersants were the specific conductance and an industrial organic compound (trimethyltriazinetrione). Three models based on the stream tube concept were used, and lateral dispersion coefficients computed from these models were comparable. Coefficients for the two dispersants also were comparable. Lateral dispersion coefficients were consistent with expectations based on the characteristics of the river sections. Overall average values were 0.444 m 2 /s for a relatively straight section of river, 1.69 m 2 /s for a section containing two sharp bends, and 2.22 m 2 /s for a long section containing four sharp bends and several small islands. The lateral dispersion coefficients measured for the Mississippi River are consistent with literature data and a water discharge relation. Results of this study provide lateral dispersion coefficients for a water discharge not previously reported in the literature as well as new values for the Mississippi River.