Mass Balance Modeling of Heavy Metals in Saginaw Bay, Lake Huron

Abstract

During the period 1976-1978, a study of hazardous materials in Saginaw Bay was conducted. This study included the fate and distribution of cadmium, copper, lead, and zinc in the bay. A spatially segmented, dynamic mass balance model was developed to describe concentrations of metals and suspended solids in the water column and in the sediments. A wind-driven resuspension mechanism was used to describe the sediment-water interactions. The distribution of metals in the water column was determined by equilibrium partitioning between the ambient suspended solids and the dissolved phase. Model output was calibrated to field data for the principal variables. Independent validation was obtained by comparing partition coefficients from the calibration to those calculated directly from the field observations. It was found that suspended solids were important in controlling the water column concentrations of the metals. The degree of control was a function of the partition coefficient between the metal and the solids, and the concentration of the solids. Adsorption of the metals to the solids was found to result in decreases to metals concentrations due to net sedimentation, as well as increases due to wind-driven resuspension. On an annual average basis, the net flux of the particulate components of all four metals was from the water column to the sediments except for copper in 1977.