Using a hydrodynamic model to evaluate the discharge of urban sewage on the pollution of coastal areas Case study: Bandar Abbas city

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 University of Tehran

2 Department of Environmental Engineering, Graduate Faculty of Environment, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

3 Assistant, Professor of environmental faculty university of tehran

Abstract

EXTENDED ABSTRACT
Introduction: The discharge of urban and industrial wastewater into aquatic environments, particularly in coastal areas, poses significant environmental challenges. This study aims to investigate the pollution status caused by the effluent discharge from the Bandar Abbas wastewater treatment plant into the "Goursouzan Creek" and to evaluate its impacts on the adjacent marine environment. Focusing on pollutant dispersion simulation, this research seeks to provide scientific solutions for predicting contaminant movement and mitigating its destructive effects on the coastal ecosystem.
Material and Methods: The MIKE 21 FM numerical model (developed by DHI) was employed for hydrodynamic and transport simulation. The modeling process was executed in three stages: first, a hydrodynamic model of the entire Persian Gulf was developed; then, water level data from the calibrated regional model were extracted to set up a local hydrodynamic model for the Bandar Abbas area. Finally, a water quality model was implemented based on field sampling data and wastewater characteristics (such as turbidity and physical appearance) to analyze the pollution dispersion patterns.
Results and Discussion: Field observations indicate high turbidity, foam formation, and unpleasant odors at the discharge point in Goursouzan Creek. Numerical modeling results confirmed that the hydrodynamic characteristics of the area, including depth and current velocity/direction, play a key role in pollutant transport. Based on various scenarios (trial and error), it was found that discharging wastewater near the shoreline or even at points just outside the creek does not improve the environmental quality of the area due to the average current patterns.
Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that current wastewater discharge practices near the Bandar Abbas coast do not meet environmental standards and fail to resolve the region's pollution issues. Given the hydrodynamic limitations of Goursouzan Creek, it is essential to consider alternative options, such as relocating the discharge points to deeper offshore locations with more favorable current conditions, guided by numerical model outputs, to ensure the sustainability of the marine ecosystem.

Keywords

References

References
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Advanced Environmental Sciences
Volume 23, Issue 4
December 2026
Pages 1085-1102

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