Modeling the transport and environmental fate of nitrobenzene in the Songhua River

Based on the combination of river water quality model and kinetic mechanism theory of nitrobenzene (NB) in multimedia aquatic ecosystem, a numerical model of transport and environmental fate of NB in river was developed. The proposed model is capable of simulating the physical transportation, and bio-chemical degradation processes of NB in river such as dispersion, volatilization, photolysis, biodegradation, adsorption and desorption. Photolysis and degradation relations and constants in this model were obtained by laboratory experiments, other parameters are obtained from modeling literature. Model calibration and validation were performed sequentially by comparing computed result with field data of hydrology and NB concentration. The model is applied to predict the transportation and fate of NB after the NB spill leak accident of Songhua River, the results indicated that the numerical model would be effective tools for emergency pollution accident analysis and water management.