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Influence of changes in hydrodynamic conditions on cadmium transport in tidal river network of the Pearl River Delta, China

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Abstract

With rapid economic development, the Pearl River Delta (PRD) of China has experienced a series of serious heavy metal pollution events. Considering complex hydrodynamic and pollutants transport process, one-dimensional hydrodynamic model and heavy metal transport model were developed for tidal river network of the PRD. Then, several pollution emergency scenarios were designed by combining with the upper inflow, water quality and the lower tide level boundary conditions. Using this set of models, the temporal and spatial change process of cadmium (Cd) concentration was simulated. The influence of change in hydrodynamic conditions on Cd transport in tidal river network was assessed, and its transport laws were summarized. The result showed the following: Flow changes in the tidal river network were influenced remarkably by tidal backwater action, which further influenced the transport process of heavy metals; Cd concentrations in most sections while encountering high tide were far greater than those while encountering middle or low tides; and increased inflows from upper reaches could intensify water pollution in the West River (while encountering high tide) or the North River (while encountering middle or low tides).

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Acknowledgments

The research was supported by the National Key Basic Research Project of China (Program 973-2010CB951102), the Natural Sciences Foundation of China (numbers 51279183 and 51079132), the National Scientific and Technological Major Project of Water Pollution Control and Treatment of China (number 2009ZX07210-006), the “Groundwater Protective Action” of Center Financial Project of China (number 1260800031), and the Scientific and Technological Project of Zhengzhou City, China (number 083SGYG26122-6 and 0910SGYS33389-2).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Water Conservancy and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, 450001, China

    Ming Dou, Qiting Zuo, Jinping Zhang & Guiqiu Li

  2. Ecohydrology, Water Science Engineering, UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands

    Congying Li

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  1. Ming Dou
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  2. Qiting Zuo
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  3. Jinping Zhang
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  4. Congying Li
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  5. Guiqiu Li
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Correspondence to Ming Dou.

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Dou, M., Zuo, Q., Zhang, J. et al. Influence of changes in hydrodynamic conditions on cadmium transport in tidal river network of the Pearl River Delta, China. Environ Monit Assess 185, 7501–7516 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3115-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-013-3115-5

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