Description

Abstract: Intensive data collection and a modeling study have been underway for the past several years addressing two of the channel estuaries draining into the Gulf of Fonseca, Estero El Pedregal and Estero San Bernardo. Data have been compiled on the shrimp farm configurations, exchange rates, and effluent chemistry. Temperature, salinity, and dissolved oxygen profiles have been measured in the estuary channels during both rainy and dry seasons. Physiographic, hydrographic, and meteorological data have been obtained to supplement the estuary data. This report examines the assimilative capacity of these estuaries with respect to dissolved oxygen (DO). The oxygen demand of organics is measured by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD). Shrimp farm BOD loadings were estimated from effluent data and exchange. A transport model for salinity and DO in the estuaries was applied to predict the tidal-mean and section-mean concentrations of salinity and DO. The model predictions of DO