Work

Enhancing vertical mixing in Lake Biwa through optimal placement of density flow diffusion devices using genetic algorithms

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: The promotion of vertical mixing in lakes plays a crucial role in maintaining water quality and ecosystem stability. This study proposes an optimization method using Genetic Algorithms (GA) to determine the optimal placement of density flow diffusion devices, which are expected to enhance vertical mixing by mitigating stratification and facilitating the exchange of surface and bottom waters. Since the effectiveness of these devices largely depends on their placement conditions, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) were conducted to analyze the flow field of Lake Biwa, and GA was applied to explore optimal device arrangements. The simulation results demonstrated that specific placement configurations significantly enhanced vertical mixing, indicating the potential applicability of density flow diffusion devices. The findings of this study contribute to effective water environment management in Lake Biwa and provide valuable insights into maintaining lake stability through improved vertical mixing.

Source: Terrestrial Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences

DOI: 10.1007/s44195-026-00142-z

Authors: Jinichi Koue, Tomoya Yamada, Katsutoshi Hirayama

Institution: Kobe University

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic and Environmental Studies

Subfield: Earth-Surface Processes

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,090