Abstract
A new multibranch Integrated Catchment (INCA) model INCA-Metals has been developed to simulate the impact of tannery discharges on river systems. The model accounts for the key chemical reaction kinetic processes operating as well as sedimentation, resuspension, dilution, mixing and redistribution of pollutants in rivers downstream of tannery discharge points and for mine discharges or acid rock drainage sites. The model is dynamic and simulates the daily behaviour of hydrology and eight metals, including cadmium, mercury, copper, zinc, lead, arsenic, manganese and chromium, as well as cyanide and ammonia. The model is semi-distributed and can simulate catchments, tributaries and instream river behaviour. The model can also account for diffuse pollution from rural runoff as well as point sources from effluent and trade discharges. The model has been applied to the new Savar tannery complex on the Dhaleshwari River system in Bangladesh to assess the impacts on pollution levels in the river system and to evaluate a set of treatment scenarios for pollution control, particularly in the dry season. It is shown that the new effluent treatment plant at Savar needs to significantly improve its operation and treatment capability in order to alleviate metal pollution in the downstream Dhaleshwari River System and also protect the Meghna River System that falls in the Bay of Bengal.
Highlights
Polluted surface and ground water causes harm to ecosystems and human health
In order to determine the percentage level of upgrade needed in the central effluent treatment plant (CETP) and highlight the impact of its improved performance on the water quality of the Dhaleshwari, different improved CETP treatment scenarios were simulated using Integrated Catchment (INCA)-Metals
The results suggest that the CETP at Savar needs to operate at much higher levels of efficiency to control the river pollution, depicted by the other lines on the graphs representing improvements to the treatment plant under a range of scenarios from 65% to 95% reductions in discharge concentrations
Summary
Paul Geoffrey Whitehead 1, * , Zineb Mimouni 1 , Daniel Butterfield 1 , Gianbattista Bussi 1 , Mohammed Abed Hossain 2 , Rebecca Peters 1 , Shammi Shawal 2 , Phillip Holdship 3 , Cordelia Petra Nadine Rampley 4 , Li Jin 5 and Duane Ager 4. River Systems: Impacts and Control of Tannery Wastes in Bangladesh
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