Modeling the lateral variation of bottom-attached algae in rivers

摘要: Abstract The lateral distribution of benthic algae in flowing waters is an overlooked but important component river water-quality management. A number workers have described the spatially variable structure bottom field, yet rarely has it been reproduced using mechanistic models. In this study, we develop a simple numerical model that describes biomass accrual bottom-attached rivers and illustrate how gradients light through water column can be consideration nutrient regulatory We then present comparison simulated observed results on Yellowstone River northern United States where was applied to compute maximum steady-state biomass. Following calibration site-specific data, algal simulations yielded satisfactory outcomes with root mean square error percent bias 21.8 mg chlorophyll  m −2 51.9%, respectively for four different transects totaling n  = 36 observations. general periphyton well-represented. regard, suggest tool useful management light-limited depth varies significantly across channel. However, accumulations filamentous confounding effects such as velocity substratum influence community spatial warrant further investigation respect proposed model.