A New Multibranch Model for Metals in River Systems: Impacts and Control of Tannery Wastes in Bangladesh

Paul Geoffrey Whitehead, Zineb Mimouni, Daniel Butterfield, Gianbattista Bussi, Mohammed Abed Hossain, Rebecca Peters, Shammi Shawal, Phillip Holdship, Cordelia Petra Nadine Rampley, Li Jin and Duane Ager
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Paul Geoffrey Whitehead: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Zineb Mimouni: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Daniel Butterfield: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Gianbattista Bussi: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Mohammed Abed Hossain: Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Rebecca Peters: School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3QY, UK
Shammi Shawal: Institute of Water and Flood Management (IWFM), Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
Phillip Holdship: Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3AN, UK
Cordelia Petra Nadine Rampley: Oxford Molecular Biosensors, Centre for Innovation and Enterprise, Begbroke, Oxford OX5 1PF, UK
Li Jin: Geology Department, State University of New York College at Cortland, Cortland, NY 13045, USA
Duane Ager: Oxford Molecular Biosensors, Centre for Innovation and Enterprise, Begbroke, Oxford OX5 1PF, UK

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 6, 1-22

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.

Keywords: modeling; mines; pollution; metals; Bangladesh; tanneries (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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