Recent Papers on Lakes and Estuaries
Content Table
- A coupled hydraulic–hydrologic modelling approach to deriving a water balance model for a complex floodplain wetland system
- Modelling the effects of changing climate and nitrogen deposition on nitrate dynamics in a Scottish mountain catchment
- An assessment of long-term trends in hydrologic components and implications for water levels in Lake Superior
- Conflicts, costs and environmental degradation – impacts of antiquated ground water allocation policies in the Great Lakes Basin
- Determination and evaluation of the phosphorus load of an artificial shallow lake
- Impacts of rainfall on the water quality of the Newport River Estuary (Eastern North Carolina, USA)
- Making the connection between healthy waterways and healthy catchments: South East Queensland, Australia
- Effective lake basin management institutions: lessons from African lakes
- The Ontario Water Works Consortium: a functional model of source water management and understanding
- Development of a GIS for managing dynamic, 3D coastal information of Pearl River Estuary
- Dependence of spectral distribution of inherent optical properties of lake waters on the concentrations of different water constituents
- The ancient Lake Albano tunnel: origins and considerations regarding the hydraulic regulation achieved
- Long-term changes in lake ice cover in Finland*
- Optical properties of Finnish lakes estimated with simple bio-optical models and water quality monitoring data
- Water basin management for Nansi Lakes, Shandong
A coupled hydraulic–hydrologic modelling approach to deriving a water balance model for a complex floodplain wetland system
Hydrology Research Vol 40 No 4 pp 364–379 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/nh.2009.110
Scott Rayburg and Martin Thoms
Riverine Landscapes Research Laboratory, University of Canberra, Canberra ACT 2601, Australia E-mail: scott.rayburg@uts.edu.au
Current address: Landscape Stressor Response Group, University of Technology, Sydney, New South Wales, 2007, Australia
Abstract
Wetlands, particularly those in semi-arid or arid environments, are hotspots of biological diversity and productivity. Water resource managers are therefore increasing their efforts to conserve wetlands from environmental degradation. To do this, they require a thorough understanding of the wetting and drying regimes of these wetlands, and how potential land use, climate change and water resource development might affect inundation patterns. Hydrologic models can help to enhance this understanding, and to predict and assess future impacts. However, for semi-arid environments, data to assist in model construction is scarce. This paper presents a new method for developing a water balance model for a semi-arid wetland, the Narran Lakes ecosystem in eastern Australia. This method combines hydraulic (improving our understanding of water movement through a wetland) and hydrologic (improving our predictive capability for inundation levels) models and satellite imagery (acting as calibration and validation data) to produce a predictive model of wetland inundation. We show that this coupled hydraulic–hydrologic model yields inundation patterns commensurate with those that actually occurred over more than 30 years. The model results indicate that current inundation levels are at historical lows, which is most likely associated with a naturally occurring drought and increasing water resource development upstream.
Modelling the effects of changing climate and nitrogen deposition on nitrate dynamics in a Scottish mountain catchment
Hydrology Research Vol 40 No 2-3 pp 153–166 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/nh.2009.073
M. N. Futter, R. C. Helliwell, M. Hutchins and J. Aherne
Macaulay Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK Tel.: +44 1224 395 148 Fax: +44 1224 311 556 E-mail: m.futter@macaulay.ac.uk
Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford Oxon, OX10 8BB, UK
Environmental and Resource Studies, Trent University, Peterborough Ontario, K9J 7B8, Canada
Abstract
The effect of changing climate and N deposition on montane ecosystems is a topic of considerable importance. Mountains are vulnerable environments and their ecosystems are often in a delicate balance. An application of the INCA-N model is presented to simulate current-day nitrate dynamics in a Scottish mountain lake and to project the possible future effects of climate change and reductions in N deposition on lake nitrate concentration ([NO3-]). The INCA-N model is calibrated using data from 1996–2006 in an attempt to determine the controls on [NO3-] in Lochnagar and process sensitivities to changing climate. Predictions were sensitive to hydrologic, vegetation-related and in-soil processes. Over the longer term, surface water [NO3-] in this mountain ecosystem is expected to increase. From 2020 to 2100, when N deposition is modelled at a constant rate, warmer temperature exerts a stronger effect on N losses to the lake surface than the N deposition. While the effects of a warming climate are projected to lead to increased surface water [NO3-], concentrations are not projected to either return to, or exceed, historical levels.
An assessment of long-term trends in hydrologic components and implications for water levels in Lake Superior
Hydrology Research Vol 40 No 6 pp 564–579 © IWA Publishing 2009 doi:10.2166/nh.2009.061
Homayoun Motiee and Edward McBean
Water Eng. Faculty, Power and Water University of Technology (PWUT), Tehran, Iran and University of Guelph, Guelph, Canada E-mail: hmotiee@uoguelph.ca
School of Engineering, University of Guelph, Guelph N1G 2W1, Canada
Abstract
The combination of climate change and natural periodicities in meteorological variables are demonstrating significant impacts on the water resources of Lake Superior within the Laurentian Great Lakes system of North America. Statistical analyses of long-term records are used to demonstrate how changes over time may be interpreted very differently, depending upon the timeframe over which the analyses are made. Non-linear regression modelling shows that, while increasing trends in overland and overlake precipitation, flows and runoff occurred during the first decades of the twentieth century, very different trends are apparent for the period 1970–2005. For this latter period, increasing rates of air overlake temperature and lake evaporation are occurring but all other parameters are demonstrating decreasing trends. The result is a decline in water levels in Lake Superior at the rate of approximately 1 cm per year over the last 35 years. The results are used to show that to avoid decreasing water levels in Lake Superior, the discharge through St Mary's River must be decreased to approximately one-half the long-term annual average, the results of which will have dramatic implications for ships' cargo levels and hydroelectric energy generation.
Conflicts, costs and environmental degradation – impacts of antiquated ground water allocation policies in the Great Lakes Basin
Water Policy Vol 10 No 5 pp 459–479 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wp.2008.059
Timothy J. Morrisa, Satya P. Mohapatrab and Anne Mitchellb
aFaculty of Law, University of British Columbia, 1822 East Mall, Vancouver, British Columbia Canada
bCanadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy, 130 Spadina Avenue, Toronto, Canada . 416-923-3529x25 416-923-5949 *Corresponding author anne@cielap.org
Abstract
Ground water is a source of drinking water for many people and is the primary source for irrigation and livestock watering in the Great Lakes region. The use of ground water in the Great Lakes Basin has substantially increased in the past few decades due to population growth, technological innovation, agricultural development and inefficient water use. Despite the increase in demand, there have been no significant changes in the ground water allocation policies in either Canada or the United States since the nineteenth century. Six of the ten jurisdictions of the Great Lakes Basin still rely on archaic common law principles to determine the allocation of ground water, while Ontario's water taking permit program has shown that centralized government regulation can be equally ineffective. Therefore, the courts and governments of the Great Lakes Basin are effectively encouraging unrestricted withdrawals of ground water, and as a result, water tables are declining, well interference incidents are increasing and ground water divides are shifting. These physical effects are giving rise to economic costs, social conflicts and environmental degradation. To mitigate the impacts of antiquated ground water allocation policies in the Great Lakes Basin, the authors suggest institutional change and a range of legal tools to better protect this critically important resource.
Determination and evaluation of the phosphorus load of an artificial shallow lake
Water Science & Technology—WST Vol 58 No 10 pp 1993–2000 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wst.2008.747
Y. Schneider, S. Grube and M. Weilandt
Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz University Hanover, Institute for Water Quality and Waste Management, Welfengarten 1, D-30167, Hanover, Germany E-mail: schneider@isah.uni-hannover.de
Ruhr-University of Bochum,Institute of Environmental Engineering, D-44780, Bochum, Germany
PFI Planungsgemeinschaft, Alte Bahnhofstraße 56, D-44892, Bochum, Germany
Abstract
Enhanced eutrophication of lakes due to high nutrient loads from anthropogenic sources has become a worldwide problem. Dying ecosystems and limitation of uses are the consequences. In Bochum, Germany, Lake Ümminger is an integral part of a recreation area, but also receives high nutrient loads from the local sewer system, as could be shown with the help of water and nutrient balances. Mass algae growth, the dying of fish and production of digestion gas implied a demand to rehabilitate the lake. Primarily, the urgency and sanitation potential as well as the applicability of external and internal enhancement measures had to be evaluated. The trophic classification needed was based upon the German guideline for the classification of the water quality of natural lakes according to trophic criteria, mainly using Vollenweider's eutrophication model. This paper focuses on a description and analysis of the problems that arose during the application of this model to Lake Ümminger, stating that shallow, artificial lakes cannot be evaluated correctly with the existing methods. Although some suggestions for further improvement are given, the development of new evaluation criteria was not in the scope of the study presented.
Impacts of rainfall on the water quality of the Newport River Estuary (Eastern North Carolina, USA)
Journal of Water and Health Vol 06 No 4 pp 473–482 © IWA Publishing 2008 doi:10.2166/wh.2008.136
Angela D. Coulliette and Rachel T. Noble
Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, School of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, 27599, North Carolina, USA Tel.: 252.726.6841 Fax: 252.726.2426 E-mail: angiecou@email.unc.edu
Institute of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Morehead City, NC 28557, USA
Abstract
The Newport River Estuary (NPRE), an important North Carolina (NC) shellfish harvesting area, has been experiencing alterations to the land-water interface due to increasing population and coastal development. Water quality degradation in the estuary over the last decade has led to an increase of shellfish harvesting area closures, and has been postulated to be due to non-point source contamination in the form of stormwater. Water samples were taken in the NPRE (n=179) over a range of weather conditions and all seasons from August 2004 to September 2006. Fecal coliform (FC), as estimated by E. coli (EC), and Enterococcus (ENT) concentrations (MPN per 100 ml) were examined in relation to rainfall levels and distance from land. The relationships among the fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and environmental parameters were also examined. The data revealed a significant increase in FC concentrations after measured rainfall amounts of 2.54 cm (general threshold) and 3.81 cm (management action threshold). However, higher than expected FIB concentrations existed during conditions of negligible rainfall (<0.25 cm), indicating a possible reservoir population in the sediment. Overall, stormwater runoff appears to be adversely impacting water quality in the NPRE.
Making the connection between healthy waterways and healthy catchments: South East Queensland, Australia
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply Vol 7 No 2 pp 93–100 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/ws.2007.044
S.E. Bunn*, E.G. Abal** , P.F. Greenfield*** and D.M. Tarte**
*Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan, Queensland, 4111, Australia (E-mail: s.bunn@griffith.edu.au9)
** SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership, Corner George and Adelaide Streets, Brisbane, Queensland, 4072, Australia (E-mail: e.abal@uq.edu.au; di.tarte@healthywaterways.org)
*** Office of the Senior Deputy Vice Chancellor, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Queensland, 4072, Australia (E-mail: p.greenfield@uq.edu.au)
Abstract
The waterways of South East Queensland, Australia, represent unique and complex ecosystems that have a high conservation value and support major recreational and commercial fisheries. The agricultural districts of the region also contribute significantly to the regional economy and, together with the growing urban areas, are heavily reliant on good quality water supplies. However, the human footprint of these activities has led to significant changes in catchment hydrology and sediment delivery, declining water quality and loss of aquatic biodiversity. Predicted population increases in the region are likely to further impact on the ecological and economic health of its waterways and catchments, and there are growing community expectations to reverse the decline in water quality and ecosystem health. In response to these concerns, government, industry and community stakeholders have worked in close cooperation to develop a whole-of-government, whole-of-community approach to understanding and managing the region's waterways. This paper provides an overview of the experience gained through development of the SEQ Healthy Waterways Partnership and highlights some of the key factors we believe have contributed to its success.
Effective lake basin management institutions: lessons from African lakes
Water Science & Technology Vol 56 No 1 pp 189–198 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.451
V.S. Muhandiki* and T.J. Ballatore**
Abstract
Weak or non-existent institutions are often cited as a major constraint facing management of many lake basins in Africa. By their nature lake basins cut across many sectoral and jurisdictional interests and therefore it is always the case that management of the basins is affected by actions within the various sectors and jurisdictions. Because of the complex nature of issues within lake basins, authority over management of lake basins is dispersed among several institutions, with no single institution having overall authority. Under these circumstances, a major challenge in lake basin management is how to ensure effective coordination among the various players. This paper reviews the situation of lake basin management at eight African lake basins and draws important lessons about lake basin management institutions. It is noted that fragmented approaches, lack of coordination across sectors, and lack of monitoring and enforcement are major institutional weaknesses. Also, it is observed that political will and commitment are essential for the management of African lake basins.
The Ontario Water Works Consortium: a functional model of source water management and understanding
Water Science & Technology Vol 55 No 5 pp 195–201 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/wst.2007.179
L.F. Moore* and S.B. Watson**
*Ontario Clean Water Agency, 920 East Ave., Mississauga, ON, Canada (E-mail: lmoore@ocwa.com)
**National Water Research Institute, Environment Canada, Canadian Centre for Inland Waters, Burlington, ON, Canada
Abstract
With an historical onus on reactive water treatment in North America, most taste and odour (T&O) outbreaks and other water quality issues have been unanticipated and difficult to control. Recent severe outbreaks of these drinking water issues have prompted wider advocacy of a more proactive “source-to-tap” approach, with greater focus on multidisciplinary partnerships among utilities, scientists and management/policy-makers. However, the practical application of this management model is faced with fragmented drainage basins, waterbodies and jurisdictions, and often requires a common issue such as T&O to initiate its development. This paper presents an example of a successful cooperative approach to drinking water management, the Ontario Water Works Research Consortium (OWWRC), consisting of the six major water utilities drawing water from Western Lake Ontario, scientists from the Canadian and Ontario governments and universities, and several other agencies. Established in 1999 following severe T&O outbreaks, the OWWRC has since operated as a highly effective model, employing a science-based approach to T&O management, supporting research on source-water and treatment issues, public outreach and utility surveys. The paper describes this partnership and summarises the results of an OWWRC T&O survey as one of the significant steps towards source-water characterisation undertaken by this cooperative.
Development of a GIS for managing dynamic, 3D coastal information of Pearl River Estuary
Journal of Hydroinformatics Vol 9 No 3 pp 215–232 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/hydro.2007.021
S. M. Y. Ng, O. W. H. Wai, Y. S. Li, Z. H. Xu, H. L. Chen and Z. L. Li
Department of Civil and Structural Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China Tel.:+852 2766 601003902117r@polyu.edu.hk
State Key Laboratory of Information Engineering in Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing (LIESMARS), Wuhan University, 430079, China
Department of Land Surveying & Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Hong Kong SAR, China
Abstract
A geographic information system (GIS) was developed for retrieval and display of hydrodynamic and water quality data. To establish such a system, two of the most important challenges are: (1) to establish a rigorous model which captures the three-dimensional and continuously changing characteristics of marine data and (2) to develop interpolation techniques to accommodate for the temporally and spatially scattered distribution of collected data. The developed system not only bridges together a GIS and a database of various physical, chemical and biological geographically based data for efficient retrieval and management of information, but also incorporates advanced display tools designed specifically for marine data. The initial intention of extending GIS for marine application is to mitigate the deteriorating water quality situation in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE).
Dependence of spectral distribution of inherent optical properties of lake waters on the concentrations of different water constituents
Nordic Hydrology Vol 38 No 3 pp 265–285 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/nh.2007.011
Birgot Paavel1, Helgi Arst1 and Antti Herlevi2
1Estonian Marine Institute, University of Tartu, Mäealuse 10a, Tallinn, 12618, Estonia.
2GEO Secretariat, Case postale 2300, CH-1211, Geneva 2, Switzerland
Abstract
The study focuses on the analysis of inherent optical properties of lake waters characterized by consisting of several optically active substances (OAS) (phytoplankton, suspended particles and dissolved organic matter). The results obtained can be useful for deriving the algorithms of optical remote sensing models which need the spectral data on inherent optical properties of the aquatic environment. The spectral absorption and attenuation coefficients were measured in situ using the instrument ac-9 for eight wavelengths in the range of 400–700 nm. The investigation sites were five Finnish and six Estonian lakes. The concentrations of chlorophyll a and total suspended particulate matter, as well as the absorption coefficient of coloured dissolved organic matter (at 380 nm) were determined in a laboratory from water samples taken concurrently with ac-9 measurements. There are three main objectives: (1) to calculate the values of absorption and specific absorption coefficients of tripton on the basis of ac-9 and laboratory data; (2) to estimate the contribution of pure water, chlorophyll a, dissolved organic matter and tripton to the total absorption and attenuation coefficients (results for ac-9 wavelengths and also for the PAR region, 400–700 nm); and (3) to determine the slope (and its variability) of the scattering coefficient spectrum for each measurement series and to estimate the reasons of this variability. At the wavelength of 532 nm the values of the specific absorption coefficient of tripton varied between 0.013 and 0.098 L mg-1 m-1, while the slope of its spectrum ranged from 0.0060 to 0.0109 nm-1. The contributions of different components of the aquatic medium to the total absorption/attenuation coefficients varied noticeably from lake to lake. The slope of the scattering coefficient spectrum was in the range of 0.32–2.5, the multiple regression between the slope and three main optically active substances jointly gave the determination coefficient R2(adjusted)=0.655.
The ancient Lake Albano tunnel: origins and considerations regarding the hydraulic regulation achieved
Water Science & Technology: Water Supply Vol 7 No 1 pp 269–276 © IWA Publishing 2007 doi:10.2166/ws.2007.031
R. Drusiani, P. Bersani and P. Penta
Federulity and Italian Hydrotechnical Association, Rome, Italy (E-mail: acqua@federutility.it)
Abstract
A brief description of the geomorphological, historical, and archaeological aspects of the Colli Albani area, where the volcanic lakes of Albano and Nemi are situated, is followed by an examination on the problem of the policies of lake Albano regulation, by means of an ancient tunnel dating at least to the 5th century BC. In particular, it is investigated how, in the presence of even severe atmospheric phenomena, it was possible to control fluctuations in the level of the lake on the banks of which there were large settlements. Mathematical model simulations indicate the effectiveness of the ancient tunnel in achieving these objectives.
Long-term changes in lake ice cover in Finland*
Nordic Hydrology Vol 37 No 4-5 pp 347–363 © IWA Publishing 2006 doi:10.2166/nh.2006.019
Johanna Korhonen
Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE), Box 140, 00251 Helsinki, Finland johanna.korhonen@ymparisto.fi
Abstract
The freeze-up and break-up records of almost ninety lakes, and ice thickness of about thirty lakes, were analysed in order to identify long-term changes in the ice regime in Finland. The longest time series of break-up and freeze-up of ice in lakes are available from the early 19th century, while the earliest ice thickness measurements started in the 1910s. The analysis showed that there is a significant change towards earlier ice break-up in Finland except in the very north from the late 19th century to the present time. There is also a significant trend towards later freeze-up and thus also towards a shorter ice cover duration for the longest time series. However, for most lakes, for which data are not available prior to 1900, there are no significant trends. The ice thickness seems to have increased over the last 40 years, although there are significant trends only in half of the investigated lakes and significant decrease in the maximum ice thickness was found in four lakes in southern Finland. The increased ice thickness is most likely due to heavy snow on the ice and production of snow ice.
Optical properties of Finnish lakes estimated with simple bio-optical models and water quality monitoring data
Nordic Hydrology 37 (2006) 183-204
Kari Kallio
Finnish Environment Institute, PO Box 140, 00251 Helsinki, Finland, .kari.y.kallio@ymparisto.fi
Abstract
The aim of this study was to estimate the distributions of spectral diffuse attenuation coefficient, attenuation depth and subsurface reflectance of Finnish lakes. In addition, the optimum empirical water quality interpretation algorithms employing reflectance ratios were investigated for the needs of remote sensing. Estimations of the optical properties were based on simple optical models and measured concentrations of optically active substances (the sum of chlorophyll a and phaeophytin a, total suspended solids and coloured dissolved organic matter (CDOM)) at 1670 monitoring stations representing 1113 lakes. The models were parameterized using optical data from 10 lakes. The mean diffuse attenuation coefficient in PAR was 3.5 m−1 and the location of the maximum attenuation depth was in the range 564–714 nm. The simulated reflectance spectra showed a shift of the maximum value to longer wavelengths as trophic status changed from oligotrophic to hyper-eutrophic. High CDOM concentrations decrease the estimation accuracy of chlorophyll a from reflectance spectra using empirical algorithms, particularly in oligotrophic lakes. The models described can be used in studying light availability for photosynthesis at different depths, in the simulation of water temperatures, in estimating how different management alternatives affect light attenuation and Secchi depth, and in various remote sensing applications.
Water basin management for Nansi Lakes, Shandong
J Water SRT - Aqua 53 (2004) 17-28
Wang Lin, Liu Yanping and Wang Baozhen
Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China Tel.: +86 532 2031819 Fax: +86 532 2032799 E-mail: lwang@mail.ouc.edu.cn
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), 66 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150006, China
Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), 66 West Dazhi Street, Harbin 150006, China
Abstract
The water diversion project from south to north, which is under construction in the East Diversion Route, and that of the Middle and West Diversion Routes, which are to be started in the near future, will substantially alleviate the acute shortage of water resources in the northern area and will realize the optimal allocation of water resources in China. The Nansi (South Four) Lakes Basin in Shandong Province as the hydraulic hinge of the Eastern Route Project under construction during the period 2001–2010 will receive water downstream of the Yangtze River and divert it to the Tianjin area, Shandong and Hebei provinces. However, the water is heavily polluted at present, rendering it unsuitable as a drinking water source. An integrated water management strategy of around 4 billion Yuan RMB or about US$49 million for the construction of municipal wastewater treatment plants and sewerage systems to combat point source pollution has been drawn up for the Nansi Lakes Basin in China. The scheme pays attention to non-point source pollution control and water reclamation and reuse, to ensure that the project of diverting water from south to north performs adequately, as well as to pave a way for sustainable development.
