A Review of Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand Models for Large Rivers

Development and modifications of mathematical models for Dissolved Oxygen (DO) are reviewed in this paper. The field and laboratory methods to estimate the kinetics of Carbonaceous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (CBOD) and Nitrogenous Biochemical Oxygen Demand (NBOD) are also presented. This review also includes recent approaches of BOD and DO modeling beside the conventional ones alongwith their applicability to the natural rivers. The most frequently available public domain computer models and their applications in real life projects are also briefly covered. The literature survey reveals that currently there is more emphasis on solution techniques rather than understanding the mechanisms and processes that control DO in large rivers. The DO modeling software contains inbuilt coefficients and parameters that may not reflect the specific conditions under study. It is therefore important that the selected mathematical and computer models must incorporate the relevant processes specific to the river under study and be within the available resources in term of data collection.