Three-dimensional hydrodynamic-eutrophication model (HEM-3D): application to Kwang-Yang Bay, Korea

The purpose of this paper is twofold: to describe the water quality model of Three-Dimensional Hydrodynamic-Eutrophication Model (HEM-3D) and to present an application of HEM-3D to a coastal system in Korea. HEM-3D, listed as a tool for the development of Total Maximum Daily Load by US Environmental Protection Agency, is a general-purpose modeling package for simulation of the flow field, transport, and eutrophication processes throughout the water column and of diagenetic processes in the benthic sediment. This paper describes the water quality model of HEM-3D with emphasis on its unique features. Excessive loadings of organic wastes have significantly deteriorated water quality conditions of Korean coastal waters. This paper presents an application of HEM-3D to Kwang-Yang Bay, a coastal system in Korea, which is one of the first water quality modeling efforts for Korean coastal waters accompanied by a relatively comprehensive field program. The current status of data availability for water quality modeling in Korea is discussed.