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Modelling cyanobacteria in shallow coastal seas

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  • Hense, Inga
  • Burchard, Hans

Abstract

There is an increasing need to describe cyanobacteria bloom dynamics using ecosystem models. We consider two fundamentally different ways how cyanobacteria are currently implemented: a simple approach without explicit consideration of the life cycle which assumes that cyanobacteria grow due to nitrogen fixation alone and an advanced approach that computes the succession of four different stages of the cyanobacteria life cycle based on internal quotas of energy and nitrogen. To qualitatively and quantitatively intercompare these different approaches and with observations, we use the Baltic Sea ecosystem model ERGOM coupled to the one-dimensional water column model GOTM. Four experiments are carried out: three, using the simple approach with either (a) a prescribed constant minimum production, (b) no minimum value or (c) a prescribed constant minimum concentration, and one with (d) the full predictive life cycle. The model data of 35 years (1970–2005) are analyzed for the timing of the bloom, the interannual variability, the annual mean nitrogen fixation rates and the effect of cyanobacteria on eukaryotic phytoplankton. The results show significant differences. In the climatological seasonal mean, only the advanced approach which resolves the life cycle produces a realistic bloom onset and duration. The interannual variability of blooms is unrealistically small in the experiments with a prescribed minimum value. Annual mean nitrogen fixation rates diverge by up to 30% between the four model solutions. Finally, the representation of the cyanobacteria also influences the seasonal cycle of eukaryotic phytoplankton, i.e., flagellates. This study demonstrates that the way how cyanobacteria are implemented in coupled biological–physical models strongly determines the fluxes into the system and between the individual compartments.

Suggested Citation

  • Hense, Inga & Burchard, Hans, 2010. "Modelling cyanobacteria in shallow coastal seas," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(2), pages 238-244.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:221:y:2010:i:2:p:238-244
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2009.09.006
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. D. Karl & R. Letelier & L. Tupas & J. Dore & J. Christian & D. Hebel, 1997. "The role of nitrogen fixation in biogeochemical cycling in the subtropical North Pacific Ocean," Nature, Nature, vol. 388(6642), pages 533-538, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Shimoda, Yuko & Arhonditsis, George B., 2016. "Phytoplankton functional type modelling: Running before we can walk? A critical evaluation of the current state of knowledge," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 320(C), pages 29-43.
    2. Hense, Inga & Beckmann, Aike, 2015. "A theoretical investigation of the diatom cell size reduction–restitution cycle," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 317(C), pages 66-82.
    3. Hense, Inga & Beckmann, Aike, 2010. "The representation of cyanobacteria life cycle processes in aquatic ecosystem models," Ecological Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 221(19), pages 2330-2338.
    4. Inga Hense & H. Meier & Sebastian Sonntag, 2013. "Projected climate change impact on Baltic Sea cyanobacteria," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 119(2), pages 391-406, July.

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