Mathematical Modeling of the Transport and Fate of Organotin in Harbors

A detailed study was performed to model the circulation and fate of organotin in San Diego Bay. The hydrodynamics of the bay were modelled using a dynamic psuedo two-dimensional link-node model known as the Dynamic Estuary Model (DEM). Contaminant fate was modelled using a logarthmic decay of the concentration to approximate the loss of organotin from the water column due to adsorption and chemical and biological degradation processes. The impacts of continuous releases from docked ships and pulse releases from drydocks were examined. Finally, simulated Bay concentrations, using experimentally determined degradation rates, correlated well with recent measurements of organotin in San Diego Bay.