Modeling the response of phytoplankton to reduced external nutrient load in a subtropical Chinese reservoir using DYRESM-CAEDYM

Abstract

Cui Y, Zhu G, Li H, Luo L, Cheng X, Jin Y, and Trolle D. Modeling the response of phytoplankton to reduced external nutrient load in a subtropical Chinese reservoir using DYRESM-CAEDYM. Lake Reserv Manage. 32: 146--157.

The DYRESM-CAEDYM model was used to quantify the potential effects of reductions in external nutrient loads to the Shahe Reservoir in China, with an emphasis on effects on phytoplankton biomass. DYRESM-CAEDYM was calibrated using field data for a 2-year period and validated against a separate 1-year period. Simulated values for water temperature, dissolved oxygen, total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and chlorophyll a showed good agreement with field measurements. The model tended to underestimate peak values of inorganic nutrients such as ammonium, nitrate, and phosphate, with phosphate levels close to detection limits in both observed and simulated values. The model successfully captured seasonal phytoplankton succession, indicating spring peaks of diatom biomass and summer peaks of cyanophytes. Scenarios in which different reductions in external loading were applied suggest that simultaneous reductions in both external nitrogen and external phosphorus loading is more effective in controlling phytoplankton biomass than reducing input of either nutrient alone. Diatoms responded more strongly to load reductions in phosphorus input than nitrogen load, whereas cyanophytes showed the opposite pattern. A combined 25% reduction in the external loading of both nutrients could significantly decrease phytoplankton biomass in the reservoir below the 7 μg/L chlorophyll a required by drinking water standards, and the study indicated that DYRESM-CAEDYM can be a useful management tool for eutrophication control.

KEYWORDS:

• DYRESM-CAEDYM
• eutrophication control
• phytoplankton
• Shahe Reservoir restoration

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to Visiting Prof. David P. Hamilton, University of Waikato, New Zealand, who helped the authors with calibrating the model. The authors would also like to thank Xiaoxia Han and Yujia Zhuang who supported the study by carrying out field and laboratory work at monthly intervals.

Funding

The study was supported by the Chinese National Science Foundation (51279194, 41301022), the International S&T Cooperation Program of China (ISTCP) project (2015DFG91980), the Taihu Pollution Control Office of Jiangsu Province (TH2014304) and the Shahe Administration Research Project.