Long-term three-dimensional hydrodynamic biogeochemical modelling of Lake Erie

Session: Physical Processes in Lakes (1)

Leon Boegman, Queen's University, [email protected]
Haotian Sun, Queen's University, [email protected]
Sepehr Dalisafaee, Queen's, [email protected]
Shuqi Lin, Queen's University, [email protected]
Nina Beigzali, Queen's University, [email protected]
Qi Wang, Queen's University, [email protected]
Rohit Shukla, Queen's, [email protected]
Luis Leon, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]

Abstract

Coupled hydrodynamic biogeochemical three-dimensional modelling of the Great Lakes has historically been limited to seasonal or annual simulations.  This has been due to limitations in computational power, inability to model ice cover and concerns about error accumulation.  As a consequence, the effects of long-term stressors, such as changes in nutrient loads and climate have been difficult to assess within a three-dimensional computational modelling framework.  We will present results from recent simulations, applying the parallel AEM3D model (formerly ELCOM-CAEDYM), to continuously simulate Lake Erie from 2002-present.  Hydrodynamic results show similar accuracy to seasonal simulations, with no error accumulation, likely because the model resets at fall and spring turnover.  Simulated distributions of dissolved oxygen, nutrients, phytoplankton, and ice cover will also be presented, in comparison to observed data.