title: Modeling phytoplankton community in reservoirs. A comparison between taxonomic and functional groups-based models.
abstract: In this paper we address the formulation of two mechanistic water quality models that differ in the way the phytoplankton community is described. We carry out parameter estimation subject to differential-algebraic constraints and validation for each model and comparison between models performance. The first approach aggregates phytoplankton species based on their phylogenetic characteristics (Taxonomic group model) and the second one, on their morpho-functional properties following Reynolds' classification (Functional group model). The latter approach takes into account tolerance and sensitivity to environmental conditions. The constrained parameter estimation problems are formulated within an equation oriented framework, with a maximum likelihood objective function. The study site is Paso de las Piedras Reservoir (Argentina), which supplies water for consumption for 450,000 population. Numerical results show that phytoplankton morpho-functional groups more closely represent each species growth requirements within the group. Each model performance is quantitatively assessed by three diagnostic measures. Parameter estimation results for seasonal dynamics of the phytoplankton community and main biogeochemical variables for a one-year time horizon are presented and compared for both models, showing the functional group model enhanced performance. Finally, we explore increasing nutrient loading scenarios and predict their effect on phytoplankton dynamics throughout a one-year time horizon.
authors.affiliation: PLAPIQUI, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Alem 1253, B8000ICN Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
authors.forename: Jimena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Di Maggio
authors.affiliation: IADO, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (CONICET-UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carolina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández
authors.affiliation: IADO, Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (CONICET-UNS), Camino La Carrindanga km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Biología, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional del Sur, San Juan 670, B8000ICN Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
authors.forename: Elisa R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Parodi
authors.affiliation: PLAPIQUI, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Alem 1253, B8000ICN Bahía Blanca, Argentina.
authors.forename: M Soledad
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Diaz
authors.affiliation: PLAPIQUI, Planta Piloto de Ingeniería Química (UNS-CONICET), Camino La Carrindanga Km 7, B8000FWB Bahía Blanca, Argentina; Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Alem 1253, B8000ICN Bahía Blanca, Argentina. Electronic address: vestrada@plapiqui.edu.ar.
authors.forename: Vanina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Estrada
mesh_terms: D001118:Argentina; D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010802:Phylogeny; D010839:Phytoplankton / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D060753:Water Quality
keywords: Dynamic parameter estimation; Phytoplankton community; Phytoplankton functional groups; Water quality mathematical model