Toward an operational biogeochemical model for the Strait of Georgia and Salish Sea
Presentation Abstract
The Strait of Georgia, located between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, is a 28 km wide fjord-like estuary that is home to a vibrant marine ecosystem. An NPZD-type model for the region was developed based on available biomass time series. The data showed that after diatoms, the mixotroph, Myrionecta rubra was the next most abundant primary producer by biomass. Therefore, in addition to diatoms, M. rubra and its cryptophyte prey are represented as functional groups in the model. This model has now been extended to three dimensions through coupling with a NEMO-based physical model of the Salish Sea. We will discuss challenges and successes in the extension of the biological model to three dimensions and the outlook for production of daily operational predictions of biological and chemical fields. In addition, we will present preliminary findings on the spatial variability and controls of primary productivity in the Salish Sea, including a model-based analysis of the impacts of river outflow, wind and tidal mixing, and exchange with continental shelf waters.
Session Title
The Salish Sea Marine Survival Project- Novel Approaches, Project Status and Key Findings
Conference Track
Species and Food Webs
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2016 12:00 AM
End Date
2016 12:00 AM
Location
2016SSEC
Type of Presentation
Oral
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Biomass--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Mathematical models; Primary productivity (Biology)--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Mathematical models; Marine organisms--Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)--Geographical distribution--Mathematical models
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Toward an operational biogeochemical model for the Strait of Georgia and Salish Sea
2016SSEC
The Strait of Georgia, located between Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia, is a 28 km wide fjord-like estuary that is home to a vibrant marine ecosystem. An NPZD-type model for the region was developed based on available biomass time series. The data showed that after diatoms, the mixotroph, Myrionecta rubra was the next most abundant primary producer by biomass. Therefore, in addition to diatoms, M. rubra and its cryptophyte prey are represented as functional groups in the model. This model has now been extended to three dimensions through coupling with a NEMO-based physical model of the Salish Sea. We will discuss challenges and successes in the extension of the biological model to three dimensions and the outlook for production of daily operational predictions of biological and chemical fields. In addition, we will present preliminary findings on the spatial variability and controls of primary productivity in the Salish Sea, including a model-based analysis of the impacts of river outflow, wind and tidal mixing, and exchange with continental shelf waters.
