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Article
Lagrangian Particle Tracking of a Toxic Dinoflagellate Bloom within the Tampa Bay Estuary
Marine Pollution Bulletin
  • Heather Havens, University of South Florida
  • Mark E. Luther, University of South Florida
  • Steven D. Meyers, University of South Florida
  • Cynthia A. Heil, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2010
Keywords
  • Harmful Algal Bloom,
  • Numerical modeling,
  • Estuary,
  • Karenia brevis,
  • Particle tracking
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2010.08.013
Disciplines
Abstract

A coastal risk assessment system simulates the basic physical mechanisms underlying contaminant transport in Tampa Bay. This risk assessment system, comprised of a three-dimensional numerical circulation model coupled to a Lagrangian particle tracking model, simulates the transport and dispersion of a toxic dinoflagellate bloom. Instantaneous velocity output from the circulation model drives the movement of particles, each representing a fraction of a K. brevis bloom, within the model grid cells. Hindcast simulations of the spatial distribution of the K. brevis bloom are presented and compared with water sample concentrations collected during the peak of the bloom. Probability calculations, herein called transport quotients, allow for rapid analysis of bay-wide K. brevis transport showing locations most likely to be impacted by the contaminant. Maps constructed from the transport quotients provide managers with a bay-wide snapshot of areas in Tampa Bay most at risk during a hazardous bloom event.

Citation / Publisher Attribution

Marine Pollution Bulletin, v. 60, issue 12, p. 2233-2241

Citation Information
Heather Havens, Mark E. Luther, Steven D. Meyers and Cynthia A. Heil. "Lagrangian Particle Tracking of a Toxic Dinoflagellate Bloom within the Tampa Bay Estuary" Marine Pollution Bulletin Vol. 60 Iss. 12 (2010) p. 2233 - 2241
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/mark_luther/41/