Author(s)

J.L. Murphy, P.A. Mackinnon, Y.Q. Zhao, R.M. Kalin & T. Elliot

Abstract

Measurement of the surface water reaeration coefficient using Kr as a gas tracer J.L. Murphy, P.A. Mackinnon, Y.Q. Zhao, R.M. Kalin & T. Elliot School of Civil Engineering, The Queen's University of Belfast, Northern Ireland. Abstract Details are presented of a system devised to use Krypton (Kr) to quantify the reaeration coefficient in surface waters. The technique is based upon similarities in the gas transport mechanisms of dissolved Kr and oxygen (62) in water, and relies on the low natural abundance of Kr in the atmosphere and consequently in surface waters. The experimental protocols used in laboratory tests and preliminary field trials are given. Kr was released into the water bodies, either by introduction of "kryptonated" water (in the laboratory) or by using a fine-pore diffuser (in field tests). In each case, a quantity of the fluorescent dye tracer, Rhodamine WT, was released simultaneously - the latter to identify the progress of the kryptonated water and to act

Keywords