The reaeration coefficient, K2, is the most influential variable in the self-purification of water bodies, thus reliable estimates are of great importance. The predictions of K2 by means of equations in shallow depths are usually overestimated. Therefore, in this study, the objectives were to study the reoxygenation of clean water moving-bed channel with shallow water depths and different flow velocities; identify the main hydrodynamic variables involved in the process and, based on them, propose equation(s) for estimation of K2. Oxygen concentration in the water over time, was used to estimated K2. From the results it was inferred that average velocity (V) and shear velocity (u*), depth (H), Froude number (Fr) and Reynolds number (R), slope (S), channel shape factor (ff), influenced K2 and the best predictive equation was the one which included the last three variables.
K2 ; prediction model; reoxygenation; hydraulic channel; self-purification
