Diagnostic Modeling of
Metal Pathways in San Francisco Bay

Contents

• Overview
• Multi-media
• Publications
• Acknowledgements

Overview

The two-dimensional numerical model ELAmet was used to investigate the effect of adsorption kinetics on the apparent distributtion coefficients of Cu, Cd, and Zn in south San Francisco Bay, California. The numerical experiments were designed to determine whether adsorption kinetics can control the basin-scale variability of the observed partitioning and to define the conditions under which adsortion kinetics could account for strong interannual variability in partitioning.

The numerical results indicate that the aqueous speciation will control basin-scale variations in the apparent distribution coefficient, Kda, if the system is close to equilibrium. However, basin-scale spatial variations in Kda are determined by the location of the sources of metal and the suspended solids concentration of the receiving water if the system is far from equilibrium. The overall spacial variability in Kda also increases as the system moves away from equilibrium.

Multimedia

Images

Animations

Publications

• T.M. Wood, A.M. Baptista, J. Kwabara and R. Flegal, 1995. Diagnostic modeling of trace metal partitioning in south San Francisco bay. Limnology and Oceanography, 40:345.

• Wood T.M., 1993. Numerical Modeling of Estuarine Geochemistry, Oregon Graduate Institute of Science & Technology, Ph.D. Thesis.

• Wood T.M. and A.M. Baptista, 1993. A diagnostic model for estuarine geochemistry. Water Resources Research, 29(1):51-71.

Acknowledgements