Hydrodynamic Modeling of HABs in Western Basin of Lake Erie

Session: 47. - Physical Processes in Lakes

Huayun Zhou, University of Michigan, [email protected]
Dmitry Beletsky, CIGLR, SEAS, University of Michigan, [email protected]
Eric Anderson, NOAA, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL), [email protected]
Raisa Beletsky, CIGLR, University of Michigan, [email protected]
Mark Rowe, Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, [email protected]

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HAB) in Lake Erie are of significant concern because they impact lake ecosystem and human health, resulting in beach closures, drinking water contamination, etc. To improve understanding of HABs dynamics in western basin of Lake Erie, we use observations (surface drifters) and hydrodynamic modeling (FVCOM). This study focuses on the circulation during a major bloom in 2015 and calibrates the accuracy of the hydrodynamic model in the bloom area. Three drifters were released at the edge of the bloom off Monroe, MI and tracked for 2 weeks. Although drifters were released at different locations, they exhibited highly coherent movement. In addition, drifter movement was strongly impacted by a seiche motion caused by a wind event. HAB and drifter exhibited similar eastward movement but drifter moved faster than the bloom. Modeled currents were validated with currents velocities derived from drifter data.

1. Keyword
hydrodynamic model

2. Keyword
harmful algal blooms

4. Additional Keyword
Surface drifters