Dispersion Characteristics of Settleable and Dissolvable Pollutants in Waste Stabilization Ponds

Abstract

Determination of the dispersion number or dispersion coefficient of a pollutant in a receiving stream or a treatment plant is a very important aspect of pollution control. A model describing the relationship between the dispersion number of a settleable solid (d₂) and that of a dissolvable tracer (d₁) was presented and verified with data collected from a laboratory channel. The model predicted results closer to experimental data than the existing model. The method applied in this research allows for in-situ determination of a pollutant settling velocity more realistically than both stokes equation and quiescent settling analysis. It was shown that using a dissolvable tracer instead of a setteable solid could lead to error. The implication of this in waste stabilization pond design was also discussed.

Keywords: Dispersion, settleable pollutants, waste stabilization ponds.