Using OTIS to model solute transport in streams and rivers

Solute transport in streams and rivers is governed by a suite of hydrologic and geochemical processes. Knowledge of these processes is needed when assessing the fate of contaminants that are released into surface waters. The study of solute fate and transport often is aided by solute transport models that mathematically describe the underlying processes. This fact sheet describes a model that considers One-Dimensional Transport with Inflow and Storage (OTIS). As shown by several example applications, OTIS may be used in conjunction with field-scale data to quantify hydrologic processes (advection, dispersion, and transient storage) and certain chemical reactions (sorption and first-order decay).