A dynamic model for suspended particulate matter (SPM) in rivers

Aim To present a general, process‐based river model for suspended particulate matter (SPM). Location General approach based on processes; data from Europe and Israel. Methods The model has been tested and calibrated using an empirical river model for SPM and validated (blind‐tested) using data from seven European sites. This modelling gives mean monthly SPM concentrations in water for defined river sites. The model is based on processes in the entire upstream river stretch (and not for given river segments) and calculates the transport of SPM from land to water, primary production of SPM (within the upstream river stretch), resuspension, mineralization and retention of SPM in the upstream river stretch (but not bed load of friction materials, such as sand). The catchment area is differentiated into inflow (～ dry land) areas and outflow area (～ wetland areas dominated by relatively fast horizontal SPM‐fluxes). The model is simple to apply in practice as all driving variables may be accessed readily from maps. The driving variables are: latitude, altitude, continentality, catchment area and mean annual precipitation. Results Modelled values have been compared to independent empirical data from sites covering a relatively wide domain (catchment areas from 93 to 5250 km², precipitation from 400 to 660 mm year^?1, altitudes from ?210 to 150 m a.s.l., latitudes from 47 to 59° N and continentalities from 200 to 1000 km from the ocean). When blind‐tested, the model predicts annual SPM‐fluxes well. Conclusion When modelled values are compared to empirical data, the slope is almost perfect (1.03) and the r²‐value is 0.9996. This is good, given the fact that there are several simplifications in the model structure. It must, however, be stressed that there are only seven validation cases and that this model has not been tested for small catchments.     

Phosphorus eutrophication in the SW Frisian lake district 1. Monitoring and assessment of a dynamic mass balance model

In 1984 a frequent monitoring programme was started in the hypertrophic S.W. Frisian lake district, with emphasis on total phosphorus (TP) and chloride (Cl^–). The main objectives of the project were: to quantify the phosphorus flows, to gain insight in the process of eutrophication, and to simulate management scenarios. The seasonal variability in the lakes is due mainly to the man-made hydrology: reception of humic-rich polder water in wet periods (winter) and inlet of chloride-rich Usselmeer water in dry periods (summer). The yearly means of TP concentrations in the lakes (Tjeukemeer, Groote Brekken and Slotermeer) ranged from 0.23 to 0.29 mg l^–1. However, much higher concentrations (0.9 mg l^–1) were found in periods with high inflow of polder water.The simulations with a mass balance showed an acceptable similarity between measured and simulated concentrations of TP as well as of Cl^–. Chloride was modelled to verify the accuracy of a hydrodynamic model. A sensitivity analysis of the apparent settling rate in the P model showed that sensitivity was lowest in simulations of Groote Brekken and highest in simulations of Slotermeer, the difference being attributable to the influence of the water residence time. The model was found to be appropriate for simulating management scenarios.