Modelling the suspended matter distribution in an estuarine system. Application to the Odiel river in southwest Spain

A numerical model which solves the advective-diffusive dispersion equation for suspended matter and includes the deposition and resuspension is presented. The model requires the simultaneous solution of the hydrodynamic equations under tidal dynamics and atmospheric forcing, using time steps of a few seconds. The model has been applied to the Odiel river (southwest Spain). The hydrodynamic module has been widely validated for neap and medium tides, whereas the dispersion was calibrated against the dissolved 226Ra dispersion pattern. This 226Ra is discharged to the Odiel river from a phosphate fertilizer factory. The model was able to reproduce the observed behaviour of the suspended matter in the estuary. The sedimentation rates have shown that a net, although slow, sedimentation is being produced. Sensitivity tests were inconclusive with respect to parameters describing settling and resuspension, as internal processes within the estuary are overridden by the high influx and efflux of particulate material from the sea.