Utilization of Oxygen Models in Environmental Impact Analysis
Abstract A vertical one-dimensional temperature-oxygen model for reservoirs is used to estimate zones of stress on the aquatic environment of a series of reservoirs in Nova Scotia. Application to cold climates necessitated a few novel developments for the temperature model. The oxygen model whose sinks are water column decay and sediment oxygen demand (SOD) is calibrated using under ice measurements of oxygen stocks and laboratory and in situ measurements of a zero-order kinetic model for sediment oxygen demand. These extensive studies are complementary and indicate a winter SOD of 0.1 gm 02/m2/day and a higher summer value. High epilimnetic temperatures coupled with the predicted anoxic zones in lower waters cause a major stress upon fisheries potential. This model provides a tool for determining the effects of different reservoir management strategies upon water quality and for selecting among these strategies.