1. Update on the Ecological Model
Jamie Vaudrey, James Kremer (UCONN)
Mark Brush (VIMS), Dave Ullman (URI)
CHRP October 8, 2009

2. & basis for formulations: (excluding macroalgae...)
Processes of the model
& basis for formulations:
(excluding macroalgae...)
Temp, Light,
Boundary Conditions
Chl, N, P, Salinity
O2 coupled
stoichiometrically
Productivity
Physics
Surface layer
Deep layer
Bottom sediment
BZI
Phytoplankton D O 2
mixing
flushing
Atmospheric
Photic zone
heterotrophy
Flux to
bottom
deposition
N P . N
ƒ[Chl]
ƒ(Chl10d)
BRIEF REVIEW
Jim Kremer’s version of the conceptual model. The text in blue is a clue to the basis for the formulation, e.g. benthic SOD (“Benthic heterotrophy” is a function of accumulated organic matter and temperature). In CHRP we track C, N & P in the water and organic matter.
It is referred to as “simplified” because only the primary ecological processes related to estuarine eutrophication were parameterized and the physical framework comprised only surface and bottom layers of 15 boxes (= 30 model elements)
Sediment
Land-use
organics
N P
Benthic
heterotrophy
Denitri-
fication
ƒ(OM,T) % . 2

3. Brown, CTD Surveys
salinity
oxygen
Buoy Network
salinity
oxygen
chlorophyll
Nutrient Stations
DIN
DIP

4. July 6, 2006
box-wide average higher than buoy data

5. box-wide data may be high, except for box 3

6. Sometimes, the box-wide average will be better (less of a gradient in boxes)

7. In some cases, box-wide average should be right on.

8. Data not final – preliminary results

9. Data not final – preliminary results

10. Data not final – preliminary results

11. Data not final – preliminary results

12. Data not final – preliminary results

13. Data not final – preliminary results

14. Data not final – preliminary results

15. Data not final – preliminary results

16. Area = fraction of inflow due to source
Use the exchange data to identify sources.
Bay
Model
River
Area = fraction of inflow due to source
Data not final – preliminary results

17. Area = fraction of inflow due to source
Greenwich Bay – sources are from neighboring elements.
Bay
Model
River
Area = fraction of inflow due to source
Data not final – preliminary results

18. Source data for Greenwich Bay – information on which elements contribute to flux in.
Data not final – preliminary results

19. Box 3 Current Conditions N reduced 50%
Phytoplankton
surface
bottom
Nitrogen
N reduced 50%
Varying N input –
surface
bottom
Oxygen

20. Application of Model Results
Determine largest sources of input.
What controls the ecology in elements?
Additional Model Scenarios
Varying N input.
Additional ROMS runs, varying meteorological conditions.
Conclusions