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Calibration and sensitivity analysis of a river water quality model under unsteady flow conditions

Sincock, A. M., Wheater, H. S. and Whitehead, P. (2003) Calibration and sensitivity analysis of a river water quality model under unsteady flow conditions. Journal of Hydrology, 277 (3-4). pp. 214-229. ISSN 0022-1694

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To link to this item DOI: 10.1016/s0022-1694(03)00127-6

Abstract/Summary

Water quality models generally require a relatively large number of parameters to define their functional relationships, and since prior information on parameter values is limited, these are commonly defined by fitting the model to observed data. In this paper, the identifiability of water quality parameters and the associated uncertainty in model simulations are investigated. A modification to the water quality model `Quality Simulation Along River Systems' is presented in which an improved flow component is used within the existing water quality model framework. The performance of the model is evaluated in an application to the Bedford Ouse river, UK, using a Monte-Carlo analysis toolbox. The essential framework of the model proved to be sound, and calibration and validation performance was generally good. However some supposedly important water quality parameters associated with algal activity were found to be completely insensitive, and hence non-identifiable, within the model structure, while others (nitrification and sedimentation) had optimum values at or close to zero, indicating that those processes were not detectable from the data set examined. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:Science > School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Science
ID Code:4100
Uncontrolled Keywords:Bedford Ouse nitrate DO BOD Quality Simulation Along River Systems water quality modelling SYSTEMS QUASAR UNCERTAINTY PREDICTION SIMULATION CHANNEL OUSE
Additional Information:
Publisher:Elsevier

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