Modelling the impact of hydrodynamic turbulence on the competition between Microcystis and Chlorella for light

Qian Yu, Zhaowei Liu, Yongcan Chen, Dejun Zhu and Na Li

Ecological Modelling, 2018, vol. 370, issue C, 50-58

Abstract: Intensified hydrodynamic turbulence through artificial mixing has been widely used to suppress toxic Microcystis blooms. In contrast, attenuations of turbulent mixing by reservoir impoundment would lead to the shift from Chlorella to Microcystis. However, the intervention mechanisms of the turbulence on the competitions between buoyant Microcystis and sinking Chlorella are still unclear. In this study, we develop a mathematical model between Microcystis and Chlorella competing for light by incorporating the buoyancy regulation of Microcystis with different sizes. The results from numerical simulations indicate that a better vertical distribution help competing algae win the competition. Most of buoyant Microcystis float upwards into the upper layer to have fully photosynthesis and dominate while most of sinking Chlorella stay in the lower layer in relatively calm water. However, faster-growing Chlorella dominates in the relatively turbulent water because both coexisting species are distributed uniformly over depth. In addition, the competitive advantage pictures reveal that water turbulence together with water depth reflect the dominant algae when nutrients are rich and water temperature is suitable.

Keywords: Hydrodynamic turbulence; Competition model; Buoyancy regulation; Regime shift; Phytoplankton shift (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:ecomod:v:370:y:2018:i:c:p:50-58

DOI: 10.1016/j.ecolmodel.2018.01.004

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