Viabilidade da utilização do método delta aproximado para determinação do coeficiente de reaeração em rios

Abstract

The dissolved oxygen is an important indicator that shows water quality variation in rivers, caused by the release/accumulation of organic matter. The determination of the reaeration coefficient is indispensable, due to the consumption of dissolved oxygen for the organic matter oxidation. The reaeration coefficient can be determined by empirical models or experimental methods. The experimental methods are generally expensive and slow. However, the Approximate Delta Method proposed by McBride and Chapra (2005) is an experimental method of easy application and low cost. This method is based on surface reaeration estimation, primary production, and respiration. Basically, it is estimated by means of daytime measurements of dissolved oxygen. The main gol was to analyze the application viability of the Approximate Delta Method to determine the reaeration coefficient in watershed. This study was carried out in five watersheds: Cancela-Tamandaí, Menino Deus II, Menino Deus IV, João Goulart and RSC 287. The reaeration coefficient is influenced by hydrodynamic characteristics of the rivers. Thus, the velocity, depth, and flow were monitored. It was determined the temperature of the water and the dissolved oxygen concentrations during the photoperiod, and it was estimated the organic load in the rivers. The application of the Approximate Delta Method was viable only in João Goulart and RSC 287 basins. The Cancela-Tamandaí basin does not presented an adequated dissolved oxygen profile. This was due to the high release of organic matter in the river. The Menino Deus II basin also presented unviability. This was due to the absence of an adequate dissolved oxygen profile. In the Menino Deus IV basin occurred overestimation of the coefficients, when was possible your estimation. In this basin, the minimum deficit in most of the dissolved oxygen profiles was before of the solar noon, avoided the application of the method. In João Goulart basin was viable the application of the method, but with some limitations: flows until 1.00 m3/s; there should be regular presence of organic load; and the time between the dissolved oxygen minimum deficit and the solar noon do not should be too low. The RSC 287 basin was viable in your normal hydrodynamic characteristics. The method was not viable with flow higher than 3.64 m3/s, and in the agriculture irrigation season. Finally, the Approximate Delta Method presented unviability in some conditions: flow greater than 1.00 m3/s for João Goulart basin, and then 3.64 m3/s in the RSC 287 basin; rivers with organic content very low or very high; low time between the dissolved oxygen minimum deficit and solar noon; low temperatures; and rivers with captation of the water. In the João Goulart basin, it was calculated the Pearson correlation coefficient between reaeration coefficient and the others variables. It was found significant correlation of the reaeration coefficient with the flow, depth, and velocity. However, the Approximate Delta Method showed experimentally to be easy to use and low cost. However, with a variety of limitations in its application, making it unviability to certain conditions.