Modelling phosphorus fluxes in the hypertrophic Loosdrecht Lakes

A dynamic, deterministic model is presented to simulate the phosphorus cycle and plankton growth in the shallow, hypertrophic Loosdrecht Lakes (The Netherlands) before and after restoration measures. Besides inorganic phosphorus (SRP) in both the surface water and the interstitial water, the model comprises three algal groups, zooplankton, fish, detritus, zoobenthos and upper sediment (all modelled both in carbon and in phosphorus). Within the model system, the phosphorus cycle is completely closed. Carbon and phosphorus are described independently, so that the dynamics of the P/C ratios can be modelled. Sediment processes are described in a simplified form.Simulated values are largely within the range of observed ones. The detrital fraction of the seston (=phytoplankton+detritus) varies from 50–60% in summer to about 90% in winter. SRP in the surface water is very low during most of the year. Sensitivity for external phosphorus input is larger for algal and detrital P than for algal and detrital C and chlorophyll-a. So the P/C ratio of the seston decreases following restoration measures, as is observed in the lakes, while the much higher P/C ratios of zooplankton and fish remain constant. Phosphorus mobilisation from the sediment decreases with decreasing external input. Adaptation of the model system to the reduced loading takes place within about two years.Sources of uncertainty in the model include the limited knowledge on selective grazing as well as on mortality and mineralisation processes.