A semi-analytical model for dissolved oxygen mass transfer coefficient at the sediment-water interface

Relying on the fundamental principles of mass transport in a turbulent flow, we have developed a semi-analytical model for a mass transfer coefficient in a sediment water interface over a smooth bed. The governing equations with boundary conditions reflect a mechanism of shear dispersion in a turbulent flow. The model is formulated in terms of the Sherwood-Reynolds-Schmidt functional dependence. Unlike previous regression-type models, the mass transfer coefficient at the sediment-water interface is parameterized by the friction coefficient. Flow conditions over a smooth bed ranging in Reynolds number from 1800 to 7000 were used to verify the model. The predicted mass transfer coefficients are in very good agreement with the experimental data.