Keywords
microbial loop; algal blooms; ecological modelling; aquatic ecosystems
Location
Session B3: Integrated Hydrodynamic, Hydrological, Water Quality, and Ecological Models
Start Date
18-6-2014 2:00 PM
End Date
18-6-2014 3:20 PM
Abstract
In order to control algal blooms, it is necessary to better understand microbial interactions in aquatic ecosystems. Based on the traditional "Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus" (NPZD) model, the "Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus+Bacteria" (NPZD+B) model has been developed to investigate the impact of the microbial loop on aquatic food webs via nutrient cycling processes. The results of the NPZD+B model showed the positive impact of the microbial loop on phytoplankton growth, and illustrated the importance of "bottom-up" (resource) control of algal blooms in aquatic ecosstems. The study concludes that the microbial loop is an important model component for simulating water quality dynamics when nutrients are limited in water bodies. The NPZD+B model provides and improved mechanistic understanding of bacteria-phytoplankton interactions in aquatic ecosystems.
Included in
Civil Engineering Commons, Data Storage Systems Commons, Environmental Engineering Commons, Hydraulic Engineering Commons, Other Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons
Modelling the Impact of Microbial Loop on Aquatic Food Webs
Session B3: Integrated Hydrodynamic, Hydrological, Water Quality, and Ecological Models
In order to control algal blooms, it is necessary to better understand microbial interactions in aquatic ecosystems. Based on the traditional "Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus" (NPZD) model, the "Nutrients-Phytoplankton-Zooplankton-Detritus+Bacteria" (NPZD+B) model has been developed to investigate the impact of the microbial loop on aquatic food webs via nutrient cycling processes. The results of the NPZD+B model showed the positive impact of the microbial loop on phytoplankton growth, and illustrated the importance of "bottom-up" (resource) control of algal blooms in aquatic ecosstems. The study concludes that the microbial loop is an important model component for simulating water quality dynamics when nutrients are limited in water bodies. The NPZD+B model provides and improved mechanistic understanding of bacteria-phytoplankton interactions in aquatic ecosystems.
