Scalar transport in channel networks : development of a particle tracking model to study the movement of scalars in the Sacramento - San Joaquin Delta
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- A three dimensional particle tracking model (PTM) is developed to study the transport of scalars in a branched network of channels. The PTM is used to quantify the effects of different transport mechanisms in the Sacramento-San Joaquin delta (henceforth, the Delta) for various hydrological conditions. The paths taken by scalars and crucial branching points are identified. The different transport and mixing mechanisms are quantified by successively applying the PTM with tidal and cross-sectional flow structure removed and computing the differences between the results. Channel junctions are implemented using a streamline following mechanism of particle movements. It is found that the bifurcating and recombining junctions are critical to the transport of scalars in the Delta. The streamline following junction model produces more accurate results than the randomizing model. Secondly, in-channel transport and mixing mechanisms, which are strongly influenced by the upstream history of mixing along transport pathways do not contribute significantly to the transport of scalars in the Delta. The most important transport mechanism in the Delta is found to be the significantly increased dispersion through the junctions. Thirdly, tides dominate throughout the West, Central and North Delta, and hence the tidal flows and the mixing mechanisms induced by the tides are at least as important as mean river flows and mixing mechanisms due to mean flows. Lastly, parameters which incorporate the transport pathways are better able to quantify bulk Delta processes. Scalar fate is quantified using by developing and using new parameters such as cloud volume growth, particle pathway based residence times and dispersion coefficients and Delta mass balance. The Delta is defined as a set of simply connected interacting geographic regions with dominant transport mechanisms. Applications of the project include pollution mitigation, ecosystem restoration and habitat management, and the design of water quality standards.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic; electronic resource; remote |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Publication date | 2015 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Associated with | Sridharan, Vamsi Krishna |
|---|---|
| Associated with | Stanford University, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. |
| Primary advisor | Monismith, Stephen Gene |
| Thesis advisor | Monismith, Stephen Gene |
| Thesis advisor | Fong, Derek |
| Thesis advisor | Freyberg, David L |
| Thesis advisor | Fringer, Oliver B. (Oliver Bartlett) |
| Thesis advisor | Koseff, Jeffrey Russell |
| Advisor | Fong, Derek |
| Advisor | Freyberg, David L |
| Advisor | Fringer, Oliver B. (Oliver Bartlett) |
| Advisor | Koseff, Jeffrey Russell |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Vamsi Krishna Sridharan. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering. |
| Thesis | Thesis (Ph.D.)--Stanford University, 2015. |
| Location | electronic resource |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2015 by Vamsi Krishna Sridharan
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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