Modeling Nutrient Dynamics in Coastal Lagoons

Date

2014-12

Authors

Turner, Evan L.

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Abstract

The declining health of estuary waters from nutrient pollution is a concern globally as human populations increase. The objective of this dissertation is to understand how nutrient inputs to estuary waters affect the estuary ecosystem. Field samplings (Chapter II), computational simulation code (Chapter III), and comprehensive model testing (Chapter IV) were used to accomplish the dissertation objectives. Inorganic nutrient concentrations were measured in Corpus Christi Bay, Texas for a continuous year to determine patterns of annual nutrient dynamics. Nutrient loading from runoff caused by precipitation affects estuary water quality along the shoreline. Corpus Christi Bay was found to have spatially dependent and seasonally driven nutrient dynamics. A robust computational programming toolkit was written to aid in the development and implementation of mathematical models. The toolkit, called EasyModel, contains a graphical utility to simulate a series of differential equations. The system is extendable for advanced users to calibrate mathematical models to ecological observation data. Five different models of nutrient dynamics were used to simulate nutrient dynamics of Copano Bay and San Antonio Bay, Texas. The complexity of the model equations was not related to how well measurements in the study area compared to simulated results. Including benthic components to the model design had the most positive affect on model performance. This research demonstrates that each estuary has a unique combination of biogeochemical characteristics that affect nutrient dynamics both spatially and temporally. Estuary responses to nutrient input were found to be non-linear, but predicable with the appropriate modeling techniques. Ensemble models can improve the accuracy of these predictions.

Description

Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in COASTAL MARINE SYSTEM SCIENCE Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, Texas

Keywords

coastal, eutrophication, lagoon, model, npz, nutrients

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