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Modeling the Sensitivity of Primary Production in Lake Michigan to Nutrient Loads with and without Dreissenid Mussels
Citation:
ROWE, M. D., J. PAUER, P. A. DEPETRO, AND R. G. KREIS. Modeling the Sensitivity of Primary Production in Lake Michigan to Nutrient Loads with and without Dreissenid Mussels . Presented at International Association for Great Lakes Research, Cornwall, ON, CANADA, May 13 - 17, 2012.
Impact/Purpose:
To document research results
Description:
Dreissenid (quagga) mussels became established in large numbers in Lake Michigan beginning around 2004. Since then, significant changes have been observed in Lake Michigan open-water chlorophyll and nutrient concentrations, and in primary production. We updated the LM3-Eutro model to investigate the response of chlorophyll concentrations and primary production in Lake Michigan to nutrient loading scenarios with and without representation of dreissenid mussel filter feeding. LM3-Eutro is a high resolution (5-km horizontal, 19 sigma-layers) nutrient, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and detritus model. We made several improvements to the model: 1) updated daily N and P loads for 1994-2008, 2) an interactive sediment compartment for nutrients, 3) updated photosynthesis-irradiance curves, and 4) representation of dreissenid mussel filter-feeding effects. Mussel biomass and temperature-dependent filtration rate were specified, based on literature values. The model was calibrated and verified over the period 1994-2008 using available data. Model runs illustrate the sensitivity of chlorophyll and primary production to changes in nutrient loads with and without dreissenid mussels.