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Aquatic EcoDynamics Modelling Library

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Projects

An isotope-enabled model for unravelling nutrient pathways from the catchment to the ocean

As part of an ARC Linkage project with teh Moreton Bay Regional Council of SE Queensldand, this study aims to use a combination of state-of-the-art multi-isotopic and multi-tracer techniques, process measurements to build an advanced 3D model of the Carboolture cacthment-estuary. The AED model is used with TUFLOW-FV to unraveling the complex sources, delivery pathways and cycling of nitrogen along a sub-tropical freshwater-marine continuum. This study is significant because the combination of these 3 approaches will for the first time provide an unprecedented understanding of the complex processes involved in nitrogen cycling along a whole freshwater-marine continuum. As part of the project Dr Sri Adiyanti and Matt Hipsey have been adding Radon and C and N istopes to the AED library, and combining with MCMC analsis techniques.

Conceptual diagram of isotope-enabled model using aed_isotope for Caboolture estuary
(click to enlarge).

Modelling estuary hypoxia and sediment biogeochemistry

Research on modelling hypoxia and anoxia in estuaries has been undertaken within the AED group has been undertaken for a number of estuary modelling projects looking at the effects of hypoxia and anoxia on water quality and aquatic habitat. This has included simulations fo the Yarra River Estuary in Melbourne, and the Swan-Canning system in Western Australia.

Simulation of anoxia using aed_oxygen for the Swan River estuary.

Hawkesbury-Nepean river & estuary dynamics

The Hawkesbury-Nepean river system drains much of the land around Sydney and has experienced water quality problems for many decades. As part of a major model development project Sydney Water Corporation commisisoned a consortium of modellers, led by SKM, to develop a finite volume model of the river and estuary, fully coupled with a sophisticated catchment modelling system. This involved the application of the AED modelling library to simulate water quality condition including oxygen, nutrients, algae and pathogens. The model system is being used to support shape policy on water management and environmental flows for the region.

Resilience of lakes to water level manipulation

As part of a new ARC Linkage Project starting in 2013 A/Prof Matthew Hipsey and team are working with Prof Leon Barmuta from the University of Tasmania and Dr Carolyn Maxwell from HydroTasmania to assess how Tasmanian Lake ecosystems that are part of their hydro-power scheme respond to water level manipulation. The model GLM-FABM-AED is being used to simulate water quality and define ecologically relevant habitat metrics which will be used to improve decision-making within HydroTasmania and support numerous endemic species within their lakes. As part of the project we are collaborting with CSIRO researchers and aim to use data assimilation as a way to improve our model predictions.

Data-assimilation within GLM for Lake Alexandrina

One of the challenges with complex ecological models is reducing error and quantifying uncertainty. As part of an ARC Discovery Project we are working with Prof Justin Brookes from the University of Adelaide to simulate the Lower Murray River and Lake Alexandrina using novel data-streams to undertake an advanced process validation of the model.

The Influence of Climate Change on Cyanobacterial Blooms

Prof Justin Brookes from the University of Adelaide has recently led a project funded by the US Water Research Foundation (WRF) to assess how cyanobacterial risk changes under climate change scenarios in parallel to different nutrient management targets. As part of the project Dr Anna Rigosi has been running the model GLM-FABM-AED to simulate changing lake conditions and cyanobacterial dynamics. The results fo the study will be used to advise reservoir managers on the best ways to mitigate the impact of climate change on cyanobacterial risk.