Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida
Study region:: Algal blooms (ABs), often exacerbated by excess nutrients from anthropogenic activities, can pose serious risks to public health, fisheries, and ecosystem structure and functions. Lake Okeechobee is located in southcentral Florida (USA), and with a surface area of 1730 km2, it is the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581823001283 |
| _version_ | 1797801785764610048 |
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| author | Thanh Duc Dang Mauricio E. Arias Osama Tarabih Edward J. Phlips Sarina J. Ergas Mark C. Rains Qiong Zhang |
| author_facet | Thanh Duc Dang Mauricio E. Arias Osama Tarabih Edward J. Phlips Sarina J. Ergas Mark C. Rains Qiong Zhang |
| author_sort | Thanh Duc Dang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Study region:: Algal blooms (ABs), often exacerbated by excess nutrients from anthropogenic activities, can pose serious risks to public health, fisheries, and ecosystem structure and functions. Lake Okeechobee is located in southcentral Florida (USA), and with a surface area of 1730 km2, it is the largest subtropical lake in the United States. This lake is shallow, nutrient-rich, and subject to frequent and intense blooms of cyanobacteria, some of which are toxic. Study focus:: In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) model was developed, coupling long-term monitoring data with complex physical, chemical, and ecological processes at fine spatial (15–1000 m horizontal mesh size) and temporal (1 h) resolution. We used this model to understand the influence of environmental factors and nutrient management on ABs dynamics in Lake Okeechobee. New Hydrological Insights for the Region:: The model showed that ABs mostly developed in shallow nearshore regions near canal outlets, and then spread over the lake as a result of prevailing winds and currents. Hypothetical scenario modeling showed that reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs by 50%–75% would be more effective at reducing ABs in the lake than targeting a single nutrient. The model could be used as a tool to assess the effectiveness of different nutrient management strategies in Lake Okeechobee and its watershed, while the framework could be adopted to other large water bodies facing similar issues. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:55:46Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9ab94bb4071b4986b5bcb1f833ea327d |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2214-5818 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T04:55:46Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies |
| spelling | doaj.art-9ab94bb4071b4986b5bcb1f833ea327d2023-06-18T05:02:06ZengElsevierJournal of Hydrology: Regional Studies2214-58182023-06-0147101441Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, FloridaThanh Duc Dang0Mauricio E. Arias1Osama Tarabih2Edward J. Phlips3Sarina J. Ergas4Mark C. Rains5Qiong Zhang6Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USA; Corresponding author.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USADepartment of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, University of Florida, 7922 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, 32653, FL, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USAFlorida Department of Environmental Protection, 3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, Tallahassee, 32399, FL, USA; School of Geosciences, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USADepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of South Florida, 4202 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, 33620, FL, USAStudy region:: Algal blooms (ABs), often exacerbated by excess nutrients from anthropogenic activities, can pose serious risks to public health, fisheries, and ecosystem structure and functions. Lake Okeechobee is located in southcentral Florida (USA), and with a surface area of 1730 km2, it is the largest subtropical lake in the United States. This lake is shallow, nutrient-rich, and subject to frequent and intense blooms of cyanobacteria, some of which are toxic. Study focus:: In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) model was developed, coupling long-term monitoring data with complex physical, chemical, and ecological processes at fine spatial (15–1000 m horizontal mesh size) and temporal (1 h) resolution. We used this model to understand the influence of environmental factors and nutrient management on ABs dynamics in Lake Okeechobee. New Hydrological Insights for the Region:: The model showed that ABs mostly developed in shallow nearshore regions near canal outlets, and then spread over the lake as a result of prevailing winds and currents. Hypothetical scenario modeling showed that reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus inputs by 50%–75% would be more effective at reducing ABs in the lake than targeting a single nutrient. The model could be used as a tool to assess the effectiveness of different nutrient management strategies in Lake Okeechobee and its watershed, while the framework could be adopted to other large water bodies facing similar issues.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581823001283Numerical modelingAlgal bloomsLake OkeechobeeManagement optionsLegacy nutrientsDelft3D |
| spellingShingle | Thanh Duc Dang Mauricio E. Arias Osama Tarabih Edward J. Phlips Sarina J. Ergas Mark C. Rains Qiong Zhang Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies Numerical modeling Algal blooms Lake Okeechobee Management options Legacy nutrients Delft3D |
| title | Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida |
| title_full | Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida |
| title_fullStr | Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida |
| title_full_unstemmed | Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida |
| title_short | Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida |
| title_sort | modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in lake okeechobee florida |
| topic | Numerical modeling Algal blooms Lake Okeechobee Management options Legacy nutrients Delft3D |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581823001283 |
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