Bloom Dynamics in Sodus Bay: Physical Processes and Interaction with Lake Ontario

Session: Poster session

Maliheh Karamigolbaghi, State University of New York at Buffalo, [email protected]
Yanping Feng, University of Buffalo, [email protected]
Joseph Atkinson, University of Buffalo, Dept. of Civil , Struct. & Env Eng., [email protected]

Abstract

A coupled hydrodynamic-ecological model was employed to investigate the cause of widespread blue-green algal blooms in Sodus Bay, the largest bay on Lake Ontario. This study presents improvements to a former modeling exercise motivated by a bloom that occurred in 2010, to study the factors controlling the bloom formation and to evaluate management strategies. Possessing a high level of spatial and temporal resolution, the hydrodynamic modeling revealed the importance of water exchange between Lake Ontario and Sodus Bay, particularly during lake upwelling periods which caused colder water to enter the bay as an underflow. The linked model was calibrated to field data from 2013, specifically, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, and phytoplankton chlorophyll. The model was used to develop a better understanding of system behavior and to explore the relative impacts of different loading terms, in particular to evaluate processes that may be controlled or managed. It is shown that lake upwelling may contribute to observations of higher algae concentrations. Different mixing features in the bay played a critical role in calculating the total nutrient budget. It is shown that more lake-wide processes such as sediment release of phosphorus or tributary loadings are the main contributors in bloom formation in the bay. 

1. Keyword
nutrients

2. Keyword
modeling

3. Keyword
management

4. Additional Keyword
blue-green algal bloom

5. Additional Keyword
exchange flow