Characteristic Numbers of Tracer Load (independent of tides)

A graphic sketch for the definition of the various tidal characteristic numbers of tracer load is not available. Due to the fact that they are defined in complete analogy to salinity we do refer here to the respective graphical representations of the characteristic numbers of salinity (independent of tides) for further insight.

Motivation

Calculation and graphic display of several tide-independent characteristic numbers of tracer concentration can yield additional insight into tracer concentration related phenomena of natural coastal and/or inland waters. In contrast to the computation of the tidal characteristic numbers of tracer concentration the tide-independent numbers can be preferable used for

natural waters which are not dominated by the tides, e.g. like the coastal waters and estuaries along the Baltic Sea coast of Germany, or in
extreme situations, like for example periods of high or low fresh water runoff, when tracer concentration may deviate strongly from the average (tide-dominated) conditions, as well as for the
determination of characteristic values of tracer concentration for an arbitrary long (or short) period of time.

In particular there are several useful applications possible for this type of data analysis:

In addition to informations about the highest and lowest tracer concentration values which occur during an arbitrary period one can calculate also the maximum tracer concentration difference for this time span. This is a good indicator for the natural variability of tracer concentration.
Maximum values for the (rate of) increase and (rate of) decrease of tracer concentration are an additional measure for the characterization of e.g. extreme runoff situations.
From the computed times for the duration of high tracer concentration and the duration of low tracer concentration one can draw conclusions with respect to the impact of tracer concentration on organisms living in the water or along the beaches.
The variance of the time-dependent tracer concentration evolution with respect to mean tracer concentration can be used as an indicator for the dynamics of a natural water system.

An automatic analysis of all tide-independent characteristic numbers of tracer concentration is carried through by the computer program LZKSF.

Definitions for the tide-independent characteristic numbers of tracer concentration

Maximum Value of Tracer Load

Highest value of tracer concentration within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Minimum Value of Tracer Load

Lowest value of tracer concentration within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Mean Value of Tracer Load

Arithmetic mean of tracer concentration for an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Maximum Variation of Tracer Load

Difference in tracer concentration between highest and lowest tracer concentration for an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Maximum (Rate of) Increase of Tracer Load

Maximum increase of tracer concentration (within one hour) within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Maximum (Rate of) Decrease of Tracer Load

Maximum decrease of tracer concentration (within one hour) within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Standard Deviation of Tracer Load

Standard deviation of tracer concentration with respect to the mean value of tracer concentration within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Variance of Tracer Load

Variance of tracer concentration with respect to the mean value of tracer concentration within an arbitrary period of time.
Example: not available.

Duration of High Tracer Load

Period of time during which tracer concentration lies above a specific threshold for tracer concentration.
Example: not available.

Duration of Low Tracer Load

Period of time during which tracer concentration lies below a specific threshold for tracer concentration.
Example: not available.

Advective Tracer Transport

Tracer volume, which is transported through a cross section within a period of time.
Example: not available.

Mean Advective Tracer Transport

Mean value of tracer transport within a period of time.
Example: not available.

Maximum Advective Tracer Transport

Highest value of tracer transport within a period of time.
Example: not available.

Minimum Advective Tracer Transport

Lowest value of tracer transport within a period of time.
Example: not available.

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