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VIMS Articles

2002

Ecosystem model; hydrodynamic processes; feedback controls; York River estuary

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Full-Text Articles in Life Sciences

Ecosystem Modeling Analysis Of Size-Structured Phytoplankton Dynamics In The York River Estuary, Virginia (Usa). I. Development Of A Plankton Ecosystem Model With Explicit Feedback Controls And Hydrodynamics, Y Sin, Rl Wetzel Jan 2002

Ecosystem Modeling Analysis Of Size-Structured Phytoplankton Dynamics In The York River Estuary, Virginia (Usa). I. Development Of A Plankton Ecosystem Model With Explicit Feedback Controls And Hydrodynamics, Y Sin, Rl Wetzel

VIMS Articles

An ecosystem simulation model was developed to investigate potential mechanisms controlling the size-structured phytoplankton and nutrient dynamics in the mesohaline zone of the York River estuary. The model included 12 state variables in a unit volume (m(3)) describing the distribution of carbon and nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) in the surface mixed layer. General size-scale relationships and density-dependent feedback control terms were used in the ecosystem model. Forcing functions included incident solar radiation, water temperature, wind stress, river flow and tide, which include advective transport and turbulent mixing. Advective transport and turbulent mixing were incorporated into the model explicitly without coupling to …