Modelling and assessment of pollutant impact on marine environments

Mathematical modelling is a very important and useful tool of the prediction of the behaviour of pollutants in relation to the local ecosystem features, and their impact on the marine environment. This paper describes a three-dimensional general deterministic model, developed to simulate and study the time-dependent behavior of 137Cs and heavy metals (especially Cu, Ni, Mn) in the marine environment. The model solves the full Navier-Stokes equations of transient, three-dimensional turbulent flow, heat and mass transfer. The model capabilities are demonstrated by applying it at a region near the Greek island Lemnos, in the Northeast Aegean Sea, because it is there where real time measurements of 137Cs, Cu, Ni, Mn in seawater exist.