Modelling the environmental behaviour of pollutants in Algeciras Bay (south Spain)

An environmental study of Algeciras Bay is carried out through numerical modelling. First, a 2D barotropic model is applied to calculate tides and mean circulation. Results of this model are used by a sediment transport model which provides suspended matter concentrations and sedimentation rates in the Bay. It includes three particle classes. An effective diffusion coefficient has been calibrated simulating temperature distribution inside the Bay. An additional validation is obtained from an independent nitrate dispersion simulation. Then heavy metal dispersion patterns are investigated using a model which includes water–sediment metal interactions and uses the outputs of the hydrodynamic and sediment transport models. The metal transport model has been applied to simulate the dispersion of Zn, Cu and Ni. Results from the hydrodynamic, sediment and metal transport models have been compared with measurements. Model results also indicate that transport inside the Bay is relatively weak. Numerical experiments have been carried out to determine flushing times for conservative and non-conservative pollutants. Flushing time is about 20 days for a conservative tracer, and this value is mainly due to the M2 residual current. Tides are not effective in removing pollutants.