Hydrodynamics of Nutrients and E. coli Deposit and Resuspension in Surface Water

A significant part of nutrients (such as N, P) and Pathogens (E. coli as indicator) attached to sediment or biofilm deposit to bed when they transport in streams to form the secondary contaminant source with much longer lifetime. The deposited contaminants may resuspend and the biofilm where pathogens live may detach from the bed to water body. The deposition and resuspension substantially increase the complexity of the transport process, and make it more difficult and uncertain to accurately simulate and predict the fate and transport of contaminants in surface waters. In this research, a three-dimensional hydrodynamic-water quality model coupled with flume experiments are planned to be utilized to quantify the influence of flow conditions on nitrogen, phosphorous and E. coli deposition and resuspension, and to investigate the impact of shear stress caused by flow on the biostability of biofilm. This research will facilitate to better understand the fate and transport of pathogens in surface waters and provide a theoretical base for pathogen prediction and forecasting.