You are here:
Who messed up my lake?
Citation:
Brown, T. Who messed up my lake? IAGLR meeting, Toronto, ON, CANADA, June 18 - 22, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
The nearshore region of the Great Lakes where most human interaction with this unique resource occurs. Excessive eutrophication (algal growth driven by nutrient inputs) causing enhanced levels of nuisance algae including harmful algal blooms has plagued parts of the nearshore. Mathematical models are powerful tools to identify the main drivers of nearshore eutrophication and to assist stakeholders with management options to improve or maintain water quality. Here we examine new modeling methodologies to further our understanding of these complex systems. Our preliminary results show the potential for hybrid models combining grid and agent based approaches to give a richer, more realistic view of the nearshore system to managers and researchers.
Description:
Initial results from a lake-wide agent based simulation releasing virtual drifters from multiple tributaries over time. We examine the use of agent based modeling to break down the sources contributing to the composition of nearshore waters. Knowing that flow is highly biased in favor of long shore flow over offshore flow, we investigate possible origins of the water (and implicitly nutrients) in the nearshore around the lake. Considerations include 2D vs. 3D transport, the role of diffusion, and computational challenges (days × tributaries generate large numbers of agents), and visualization and interpretation of results.