ASTM D5613-94(2008)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Open-Channel Measurement of Time of Travel Using Dye Tracers
Standard Test Method for Open-Channel Measurement of Time of Travel Using Dye Tracers
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Purpose:
This test method covers the use of fluorescent dye tracers in streams to determine the rate that a solute moves along a streamline for a given river reach and the rate at which a solute disperses as it moves downstream.
Accurate measurements of a stream's velocity and dispersion coefficient that can be determined by a tracer study are important parameters for water-quality models.
Determined in advance to potential spilled or released noxious substances, velocity and dispersion rates are used to predict the time of arrival, passage time, and maximum concentration. Public health officials need this information to decide whether, when, and how long to suspend operations of public water-supply intakes in the reach downstream of a spill.
Assumptions:
This test method assumes that the dye tracer behaves in the same manner as the water in which it is injected. Dispersion and mixing of the tracer in the receiving river occur in all three dimensions of the channel. Longitudinal mixing is unending since boundaries do not exist in this direction.
The tracer response curve at a point downstream from the point of tracer injection can be represented by plotting the tracer concentration against elapsed time since the injection (Fig. 1).
A tracer response curve has four important characteristics: the elapsed time to the response curve's leading edge; elapsed time to the response curve's peak concentration; elapsed time to the response curve's centroid; and elapsed time to response curve trailing edge at 2 % of the peak concentration.
Between two monitoring locations separated by a long stream length, the time-of-travel for individual response curve characteristics is the difference in the elapsed times since injection for that characteristic at the two locations.
The duration or time of passage of a tracer response curve at a particular river location is the difference between the slowest trailing edge elapsed time since injection and the earliest lead...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a means of measuring the time-of-travel of water and waterborne solutes by the use of dye tracers and tracing techniques. This test method is similar to methods developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and described in other referenced documents.
1.2 This test method describes the dye tracers, measuring equipment used, and field and laboratory procedures customarily used.
1.3 This test method describes the methods of tracer study analysis and data presentation.
1.4 The user of this test method should address the following concerns regarding the use of tracers in water bodies:
1.4.1 Determine whether the chemical has clearance or approval or has potential or preceived impacts relating to potable, industrial, irrigation, or fish and wildlife use.
1.4.2 Determine whether approvals are required by involved agencies.
1.4.3 Document contacts regarding notification.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units except for chemical concentrations and liquid volumes for step dilutions, which are stated in SI units, are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards statements, see Section 9.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D5613 − 94(Reapproved 2008)
Standard Test Method for
Open-Channel Measurement of Time of Travel Using Dye
Tracers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5613; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam
in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
1.1 This test method covers a means of measuring the
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
time-of-travel of water and waterborne solutes by the use of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
dye tracers and tracing techniques. This test method is similar
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
to methods developed by the U.S. Geological Survey and
D3858 Test Method for Open-Channel Flow Measurement
described in other referenced documents.
of Water by Velocity-Area Method
1.2 This test method describes the dye tracers, measuring
D4411 Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion
equipment used, and field and laboratory procedures custom-
2.2 ISO Standard:
arily used.
ISO 555/2-1974 Liquid Flow Measurement in Open
1.3 This test method describes the methods of tracer study
Channels—Dilution Methods for Measurement of Steady
analysis and data presentation.
Flow, Part 2: Integration (Sudden Injection) Method.
1.4 The user of this test method should address the follow-
3. Terminology
ing concerns regarding the use of tracers in water bodies:
1.4.1 Determine whether the chemical has clearance or
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
approval or has potential or preceived impacts relating to
3.1.1 automatic programmable sampler—a portable device
potable, industrial, irrigation, or fish and wildlife use.
designed to collect sequential, discrete water samples repre-
1.4.2 Determinewhetherapprovalsarerequiredbyinvolved
sentative of the water mixture moving in the river in the
agencies.
vicinity of the sampler at a single point in a cross section.
1.4.3 Document contacts regarding notification.
Depending on the make and model of the device, water
samples can be collected at equal or variable time intervals.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units except for chemi-
cal concentrations and liquid volumes for step dilutions, which
3.1.2 centroid—thecenterofmassofthedyeresponsecurve
are stated in SI units, are to be regarded as the standard.
calculated as outlined by Parker and Hunt (1) .
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.3 depth-integrated sample—a water sample collected in
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
such a manner as to be representative of the water mixture
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
moving in the river in the vicinity of the sampler at a single
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
vertical in a cross section.
bilityofregulatorylimitationspriortouse.Forspecifichazards
3.1.4 dispersion—the three-dimensional process of dissemi-
statements, see Section 9.
nating the dye within a river’s waters.
3.1.5 flow duration—the percentage of time during which a
2. Referenced Documents
specific discharge is equalled or exceeded.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.6 fluorometer—an instrument that measures the lumi-
nescence of a fluorescent substance when subjected to a light
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water source of a given wave length.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published November 2008. Originally
approved in 1994. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D5613 – 94 (2003). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D5613-94R08. www.astm.org.
2 4
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this test method.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5613 − 94 (2008)
3.1.7 injection site—a study site where the tracer is to be 4.2 The initial planning of a dye tracer time-of-travel study
introducedintoaparcelofriverwater.Thisstudysiteisusually involves the estimation of stream velocities and the required
a sufficient distance upstream of the study reach such that tracer injection volume. The information necessary for these
complete vertical and lateral mixing of the tracer in a parcel of estimations is obtained by reviewing historical flow data and
riverwaterhasoccurredbeforethewaterparcel’sentryintothe topographic maps and by making a reconnaissance of the
study reach. proposed study reach.
3.1.8 lateral dispersion—the process of disseminating the
4.3 The time-of-travel for a given flow is determined by
dye within a river water’s horizontal axis perpendicular to its
observing the passage of a slug-injected dye tracer cloud at
longitudinal axis. The completion of this process is dependent
previously identified locations along the study reach. The dye
on the width of the river and velocity variations.
cloud response curve is defined at each reach location (study
site) by measuring the dye concentration in collected water
3.1.9 leading edge—the first detectable dye concentration
samples and noting the time that each sample was collected
observed at a sampling site.
since the tracer injection.
3.1.10 longitudinal dispersion—the process of disseminat-
ing the dye within a river’s waters along its upstream-
4.4 After tracer studies have been conducted at two or more
downstream axis. This component of the dispersion process
flow durations on the study reach, estimation of the time-of-
continues downstream indefinitely.
travel and dispersion of a solute can be made at any flow
between those studied. Tracer studies are typically performed
3.1.11 mixing—the blending of two or more substances into
at 40 to 90 % flow duration ranges.
one uniform mass.
3.1.12 peak—the maximum dye concentration observed at a
5. Significance and Use
sampling site.
5.1 Purpose:
3.1.13 point sample—a water sample collected in such a
manner as to be representative of the water mixture moving in 5.1.1 This test method covers the use of fluorescent dye
tracers in streams to determine the rate that a solute moves
the river in the vicinity of the sampler at a single point in a
cross section. along a streamline for a given river reach and the rate at which
a solute disperses as it moves downstream.
3.1.14 sample site—a study site where water samples are
5.1.2 Accurate measurements of a stream’s velocity and
collected for determination of the tracer-concentration re-
dispersion coefficient that can be determined by a tracer study
sponse curve.
are important parameters for water-quality models.
3.1.15 standard integrated depth sampler—a device de-
5.1.3 Determined in advance to potential spilled or released
signed to accumulate a water sample from a stream vertical at
noxious substances, velocity and dispersion rates are used to
such a rate that the velocity in the nozzle at the point of intake
predict the time of arrival, passage time, and maximum
is always as nearly as possible identical with the immediate
concentration. Public health officials need this information to
stream velocity.
decide whether, when, and how long to suspend operations of
3.1.16 study reach—the section of a river’s length that is to
public water-supply intakes in the reach downstream of a spill.
be studied.
5.2 Assumptions:
3.1.17 study site—sections of a river where data are to be
5.2.1 This test method assumes that the dye tracer behaves
determined, monitored, measured, and where tracer is to be
in the same manner as the water in which it is injected.
introduced into the river.
Dispersion and mixing of the tracer in the receiving river occur
3.1.18 tracer response curve—at each sampling site, the
in all three dimensions of the channel. Longitudinal mixing is
plots of tracer concentration versus time after the tracer
unending since boundaries do not exist in this direction.
injection.
5.2.2 The tracer response curve at a point downstream from
3.1.19 trailing edge—the point of the falling limb of the dye
the point of tracer injection can be represented by plotting the
response curve that is equal to approximately 2 % of the peak
tracer concentration against elapsed time since the injection
concentration observed at a sampling site.
(Fig. 1).
3.1.20 vertical dispersion—the process of disseminating the
5.2.3 A tracer response curve has four important character-
dye within a river’s water’s vertical axis perpendicular to its
istics: the elapsed time to the response curve’s leading edge;
upstream-downstream axis. This dispersion process is usually
elapsed time to the response curve’s peak concentration;
completed first.
elapsed time to the response curve’s centroid; and elapsed time
to response curve trailing edge at 2 % of the peak concentra-
4. Summary of Test Method
tion.
5.2.4 Between two monitoring locations separated by a long
4.1 Dyetracersinjectedintoastreamareassumedtobehave
stream length, the time-of-travel for individual response curve
in the same manner as the water molecules themselves. A
characteristics is the difference in the elapsed times since
measureofthelongitudinalmovementofatraceralongagiven
injection for that characteristic at the two locations.
streamline will be a measure of the movement of an element of
fluid in the stream and of its dispersion characteristics for that 5.2.5 The duration or time of passage of a tracer response
streamline. curve at a particular river location is the difference between the
D5613 − 94 (2008)
FIG. 1 Travel Time from Burnham Versus Concentration at Clinton, Maine, Sept. 18–20, 1979 (from Parker) (2)
slowest trailing edge elapsed time since injection and the tory Commission (NRC) and usually state and local permits.
earliestleadingedgeelapsedtimesinceinjectiondeterminedin Fluorescent dye tracers do not usually require formal permits
the cross section. for use in a study.
5.3 Tracers:
6. Interferences
5.3.1 Conservative tracers used to investigate fluid motion
are generally extrinsic, artificial, and chemical substances and
6.1 Natural water may exhibit background fluorescence that
are usually classified according to the methods of detection
is not the result of a fluorescent dye tracer. This background
used and chemical composition.
fluorescence may result from scattered light, fluorescence of
5.3.2 Properties to be considered when selecting a tracer for
natural materials or pollutants, or other causes (4).
a study include detectability, toxicity, solubility, cost, natural
6.2 The fluorescence of Rhodamine WT is stable in solu-
background concentration, and sorption characteristics.
tionshavingapHintherangefrom5to10,whichiswithinthe
5.3.3 Fluorescent dye tracers such as Rhodamine WT,
range of most streams. Rhodamine WT fluorescent decreases
pontacyl pink, and acid yellow 7 are generally good chemical
when in solutions having a pH below 5 (5).
tracers. Rhodamine WT has the most numerous qualities
preferred by many state and federal agencies for open-channel
6.3 Dye tracer fluorescence may be quenched by the action
studies.
of other chemicals in the streamwater. The quenching agent
5.3.4 Other tracers can be used when water-quality or
may cause any of the following to occur (6): absorption of
physical conditions are not suitable for the use of fluorescent
exciting light, absorption of light emitted by the dye, degrada-
dyes in a proposed study reach. These include salt-based
tion of the excited-state energy, and chemically changing the
chemical tracers such as sodium chloride, radioactive tracers
fluorescent compound of the dye tracer.
such as tritium, and tracers determined with neutron activation
6.4 The permanent reduction of Rhodamine dye tracer
analysis such as bromine and lithium (3).
5.3.5 These tracers are considered to be generally conser- fluorescence can be caused by photochemical decay as a result
of exposure to sunlight (7). Sunlight degradation half-lives for
vative and, in terms of this test method, differ primarily in the
apparatus required to measure the concentrations in the study the dye at the water surface to a depth of 0.03 ft ranged from
15 to 30 days at 30° North latitude, depending on the season of
reach. Discussions in subsequent sections will be limited to
fluorescent dye because of the simplicity of fluorometric the year. The degradation half-lives ranged from 15 to 44 days
analysis. at 40° North latitude, depending on the season of the year. The
5.3.6 Different tracers require varied levels of permits photochemical decay half-life increases with increased water
before being introduced into the environment. For example, depth and decreasing light intensity; it is therefore not a
radioactive tracers require permits from the Nuclear Regula- concern for most practical problems.
D5613 − 94 (2008)
7. Apparatus
7.1 Dye is usually injected by pouring a measured amount
asaslugintothecenteroftheflowfromagraduatedlaboratory
cylinder. Graduated laboratory cylinders are convenient for
measuring and injecting small volumes. Large-volume injec-
tions can be measured in terms of full dye containers. The
measured volumes of tracer to be injected can be mixed with
streamwater in a larger container that can also be used as an
injection vessel.
7.1.1 Multiple-point injections across the channel are used
onwidestreamstoshortentheeffectivelengthofriverrequired
for lateral mixing of the tracer to be completed. The volume of
tracer to be injected is divided into several injection vessels
that are poured in the stream simultaneously at several points
along the cross section.Avariation of this approach is to make
a line injection by pouring the tracer continuously while
crossing the stream. Such an injection should be limited to the
FIG. 2 Depth-Integrating Suspended-Sediment Hand-Type Sam-
center 75 % of the flow. This limitation of injection will
pler, US DH-59 (Edwards, T. K., and Glyason, G. D.) (8)
optimize the reac
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