Author(s): Rafael Tinoco

Linked Author(s): Rafael Tinoco

Keywords: Thermal mixing; Turbulence; Aquatic vegetation; Stream confluence; Thermal pollution;

Abstract: Thermal pollution affects biological and chemical processes in stream ecosystems. Since some species are more susceptible to changes in temperature than others, the rate at which thermal mixing occurs can drive habitat changes at various temporal and spatial scales. We conducted a series of laboratory experiments in a racetrack flume to characterize thermal mixing at a confluence of two parallel streams in the presence of various types of vegetation. We used surface particle image velocimetry (SPIV) and quantitative thermal imaging (QTI) to measure instantaneous velocity and temperature fields under four scenarios: 1) flat bed without vegetation, 2)sparse rigid array, 3) dense rigid array, and 4) dense flexible array. All cases were conducted under emergentconditions with an initial temperature difference of at least 3 degree Celsius between the two merging streams. Data collected with an infrared camera revealed the spatial evolution of the temperature field through thedifferent patches. The results revealed a clear effect of patch density and plant flexibility in: a) the temperaturedissipation throughout the arrays, b) penetration (excursion) length into (out of) the patch, and c) lateral thermaldiffusion and longitudinal thermal dispersion. The results of our analysis can be used to predict the effect ofvarious sources of thermal pollution in streams, such as thermoelectric power plant discharges in streams, aswell as to develop new guidelines for the design of such effluents to adapt existing regulations.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3850/38WC092019-1917

Year: 2019