ENVIRONMENTAL MODELING

Water quality is an environmental concern of primary importance. The contaminants transported by rivers, lakes, estuaries and oceans can considerably damaged the marine and aquatic ecosystem. A part of the approach to this problem consists in carrying out digital simulations of the hydrodynamic processes and transport with an aim of knowing the existing and future concentrations of these substances in the ecosystem. For example, the trajectory of a liquid effluent rejected in-depth by an emissary at sea can be subdivided in three stages in its propagation:

The first two stages can be modeled using simple and tested models, one of which including the CORMIX model (Cornell Mixing Zone Expert System) developed by the American environmental agency (U.S.E.P.A.) and the Cornell University. The last stage - the surface transport zone - can be modelled using a hydrodynamic model coupled with a diffusion/transport model. On the whole, three (3) different models will be used to determine dispersion and to optimize the emissary.

Océanide has several digital models to study the water quality of an effluent, which could be industrial or urban wastes, increase in bacteriological colonies or pond deterioration. With several levels of refinement, these models were validated with laboratory and field data. Several types of three-dimensional processes can be reproduced, including salt water intrusion, dispersion and transport of contaminants in suspension.

Potential applications

• Environmental impact studies
  • Influences of fresh water input on estuarine circulation
  • Analyze of effluent mixture zones
    
    

    

    
    
• Evaluation of water quality
  
• Contaminant dispersion and transport
  
  
  
  
  • Prevention of ice jam
    
    
    
    

Other nonillustrated applications