Eutrophication dynamics of Tolo harbour, Hong Kong

The time and spatial variation of water quality in Tolo Harbour, a eutrophic landlocked semi-enclosed bay frequented by algal blooms, is studied using a dynamic eutrophication model. Hourly changes of tide levels and currents are computed by a link-node model assuming M2 tidal forcing. Phytoplankton growth is assumed to be limited by solar radiation, nitrogen and temperature. The model incorporates light acclimation by algae, self-shading, photosynthetic production, nutrient uptake, and a dynamic determination of the carbon to chlorophyll ratio. In particular, sediment-water-pollutant interactions are modelled via an anaerobic benthic layer segment. Using recorded pollution loads and environmental forcing as input, the model predictions of daily-averaged water quality are compared with the extensive water quality monitoring data of the Environmental Protection Department (EPD). The predicted spatial distribution and trends of algal biomass, inorganic nitrogen, dissolved oxygen (DO), as well as sediment oxygen demand (SOD), are in general agreement with field observations. Copyright (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Hydrodynamic design in coastal wetland restoration

Coastal wetlands in California are critically positioned at the interface between increasingly developed watersheds and the coastal ocean. These wetlands provide habitat for fish and wildlife, provide nutrients to surrounding coastal waters, and create recreational opportunities (Mitsch and Gosselink 1986). This report describes a circulation and transport model that is designed for tidal wetland circulation and mixing studies. Given the importance of wetland restoration projects to offset the impact of coastal development, wetland circulation and mixing models are of great utility for evaluating the advantages and disadvantages of various wetland restoration alternatives relative to issues such as bathing water quality, eutrophication, and sedimentation. An application of the model to a restored wetland and guidelines for its use are presented

Environmental management of marine fish culture in Hong Kong

Marine fish farming is an important commercial practice in Hong Kong. Marine fish farms located in eutrophic coastal waters often face the threat of severe dissolved oxygen depletion associated with algal blooms and red tides. On the other hand, mariculture activities also contribute to pollution. The sustainable management of mariculture requires proper siting of the fish farms and stocking density control. Both of these are related to the carrying capacity of the water body concerned, which is mainly governed by its flushing characteristics. A simple method to determine the carrying capacity of a fish farm has been developed by using three-dimensional (3D) hydrodynamic modelling and its effective coupling with a diagenetic water quality model. A systematic methodology using numerical tracer experiments has been developed to compute the tidal flushing in a fish farm. The flushing time is determined from the results of a numerical tracer experiment using robust 3D hydrodynamic and mass transport models. A unit tracer concentration is initially prescribed inside the region of interest and zero elsewhere; the subsequent mass transport and the mass removal process are then tracked. The fish farms are usually situated in well-sheltered shallow embayments and may not connect directly to the open water. It is found that it is necessary to define both "local" and "system-wide" flushing times to represent the effectiveness of the mass exchange with the surrounding water body and the open sea respectively. A diagenetic water quality model simulating the sediment-water-pollutant interaction is employed to address the response of the water column and the benthic layer to pollution discharges. With the flushing rate reliably computed, the carrying capacity of the fish farm can be determined in terms of key water quality parameters: chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, organic nitrogen and potential lowest dissolved oxygen level on a day of negligible photosynthetic production. The predictions are well-supported by field data. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.postprin