Development of a pelagic biogeochemical model with enhanced computational performance by optimizing ecological complexity and spatial resolution

•A new NPZD modelling software package for estuarine systems was developed.•Transport between spatial boxes is calculated by a coupled FEM model.•The model is capable to output all types of process dynamic, including N2-fixation. Introducing ESTAS-AQUABC, a new software tool designed for modelling n...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ecological modelling 2023-12, Vol.486, p.110509, Article 110509
Main Authors: Ertürk, Ali, Sakurova, Ilona, Zilius, Mindaugas, Zemlys, Petras, Umgiesser, Georg, Kaynaroglu, Burak, Pilkaitytė, Renata, Razinkovas-Baziukas, Artūras
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
alkalinity
carbon cycle
computer software
Curonian Lagoon
Dinitrogen fixation
Ecological modelling
estuaries
Eutrophication
inorganic carbon
Nutrient cycling
nutrient retention
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Summary:•A new NPZD modelling software package for estuarine systems was developed.•Transport between spatial boxes is calculated by a coupled FEM model.•The model is capable to output all types of process dynamic, including N2-fixation. Introducing ESTAS-AQUABC, a new software tool designed for modelling nutrient cycles and eutrophication in highly-eutrophic estuaries. Our focus on replicating intense cyanobacteria blooms and N2-fixation sets us apart from other estuary models. We account for N2-fixation by cyanobacteria, the inorganic carbon cycle, non-conservative alkalinity, and pH calculations through CO2SYS integration. AQUABC also includes ammonia-stripping at high pH in its kinetic sub-model. ESTAS-AQUABC uses box modelling approach where the fluxes between boxes are calculated by a hydrodynamical model, in our case the SHYFEM model. This approach is robust, especially when field data for calibration is scarce, saving computational time. While our model accurately reproduced pelagic N2-fixation rates, inorganic nutrient dynamics were less precise, mainly due to the absence of bentho-pelagic exchange processes. ESTAS-AQUABC provides a useful tool to investigate nutrient retention from land to open sea, which could be important to mitigate eutrophication in estuarine systems and the adjacent coastal areas.
ISSN:0304-3800
1872-7026
DOI:10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2023.110509