Tracer measurement of stream reaeration. II. Field studies.

Abstract

This report presents a new method for accurate and fully independent direct measurement of the gas transfer and reaeration capacity of natural streams. The field technique involves the simultaneous use of tracers for dis persion and for dissolved oxygen. The initial laboratory investigations on the relative transfer properties of dissolved gases have been described in an earlier paper (1), and a detailed report of subsequent extensive laboratory stud ies and field trials has been completed and soon will be available (2). This paper reports the results of tracer measurement of the reaeration ca pacity of a 17-mile (27.2-km) reach of the Jackson River, between Coving ton and Clifton Forge, Virginia. The field studies were conducted during