Overview
Sanitary and industrial wastewater discharged into rivers is a general problem worldwide, and Mexico is no exception. This research determined, based on simulations of pollutant concentrations, the assimilation capacity of the Gallinas River against discharges of agricultural and industrial wastewater from sugar cane cultivation and processing.
Model Setup
In sugar cane cultivation, large quantities of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilizers are used, and the wastewater from sugar cane processing contains high organic content. The physical-chemical variables of interest were phosphate, nitrate, and dissolved oxygen. The Explorer Modeling System 8.4 model was used, and two sampling campaigns were performed along a 15 km reach to calibrate the numerical model for the dry and wet seasons during May and September.
Key Findings
The simulation results show that, despite the continuous discharge of polluting elements, the Gallinas River has a good assimilation capacity thanks to reaeration processes that permit efficient recovery of dissolved oxygen in the water column. As the main tributary enabling socioeconomic development in the Huasteca Potosina region, the Gallinas River’s assimilation capacity is of vital importance, and these spatiotemporal simulations support water management decision-making.