Effect of meteorology and nutrient load on oxygen depletion in a Danish micro-tidal estuary
In: Aquatic Ecology. Springer: Dordrecht; London; Boston. ISSN 1386-2588; e-ISSN 1573-5125, more
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Keywords |
Climate > Weather Nutrients (mineral) Water bodies > Coastal waters > Coastal landforms > Coastal inlets > Estuaries Denmark [Marine Regions]
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Author keywords |
estuaries; nitrogen; oxygen depletion; phosphorus; regression model; vertical mixing |
Abstract |
In a detailed analysis of oxygen saturation in a shallow Danish estuary it was possible to separate the effect of meteorological forcings (i.e. wind and solar radiation) and nutrient loads on oxygen depletion in bottom water. Regression analysis showed that oxygen saturation tied to nitrogen load rather than to phosphorus load. During summer periods of stratification the oxygen saturation could be attributed to the time elapsed after the onset of stratification and the accumulated nitrogen loading 10 month prior to measurement. Using a 10-year meteorological database and an empirical model it was calculated that a 25% reduction in nitrogen loading would reduce the number of days with severe oxygen depletion (i.e. < 15% of saturation) by more than 50%. |
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