Zero-dimensional modelling as tool for reservoir water quality planning and management

Water quality models are often applied to support the definitions for water resources planning and management. This process requires appropriate data to calibrate and make the required verification process for validation analysis. However, in some case studies, there is not enough data to run a complex water quality model whatever is the water system, being river or reservoir. In the context of scarce data, the search for a simple water quality model is an alternative to comprehend the water quality behavior of the water system. In this research, an unsteady zero-dimensional (0D) water quality model was developed and applied using synthetic series of phosphorus concentrations for a Brazilian reservoir. The results of the zero-dimensional models developed in this research were compared to the results of a three-dimensional water quality model, in order to verify if this methodology can be a simpler alternative to a complex three-dimensional model. The compatible results of the zero-dimensional (0D) and three-dimensional (3D) models show the simplified numerical schemes are important potential tools to be considered for initial analysis of water quality dynamics in reservoirs and for management purposes.