Generalized Approach to Integrated Modeling of Watershed, Waterbody, and BMP Optimization

About

Problem Statement

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) negatively impact the economy, environment, and human health. Excessive nutrient loads, especially phosphorus and nitrogen from nonpoint sources, are primary contributors to HAB occurrences in U.S. water bodies. While nutrient management strategies have been implemented to mitigate nutrient export, optimizing their placement for effective HAB control remains complex. Integrated modeling of watersheds and receiving water bodies is needed to evaluate the effects of nutrient management practices implementation, but building such an integrated framework is time consuming and requires intensive training. This project aimed to generalize an integrated modeling approach, simplifying the process for researchers in any locale. The generalized approach facilitates efficient model integration and provides guidance for implementing optimized nutrient management strategies in terms of type and placement.

Contributors

Faculty

Post-Docs

  • Osama M. Tarabih, USF
  • Hung Nguyen, USF
  • Martha M. McAlister, USF

Graduate Students

  • Ashim Khanal, USF
  • Jiayi (Joey) Hua, USF
  • Long Dang, USF

Undergraduate Students

  • B. Ngoc Trieu, USF
  • Luis C. Marquez, USF

Related Research

Integrating Modeling Tools and Observations for Prediction and Management of Harmful Algal Blooms in the St. Lucie Estuary and Watershed (US ACE ERDC-funded project):

Conducted synthesis and meta-analysis of nutrient and phytoplankton models for HAB prediction, providing valuable data for calibration and validation in estuarine environments.

Coupling lake, watershed, and estuarine models to better understand the role of engineered freshwater discharges in driving the severity, location, and timing of harmful algal blooms  (US ACE ERDC-funded project):

Created models to optimize lake and watershed nutrient flows, predict watershed nutrient exports, and link lake management with downstream water quality. 

Temporal and spatial optimization of existing and emerging nutrient management technologies and practices for control of harmful algal blooms (US EPA-funded project):

Developed models for nutrient load calibration and validation in Lake Okeechobee’s watersheds. This included open-source models for hydrodynamic and water quality, as well as a Python-based optimization tool for optimal nutrient management practices placement and timing.

Publication List

Khanal, A., Mahmoodian, V., Tarabih, O. M., Hua, J., Arias, M. E., Zhang, Q., & Charkhgard, H. (2024). AquaNutriOpt: Optimizing nutrients for controlling harmful algal blooms in Python—A case study of Lake Okeechobee. Environmental Modelling & Software, 176, 106025. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2024.106025

Montefiore, L. R., Kaplan, D., Phlips, E. J., Milbrandt, E. C., Arias, M. E., Morrison, E., & Nelson, N. G. (2024). Downstream nutrient concentrations depend on watershed inputs more than reservoir releases in a highly engineered watershed. Water Resources Research, 60(3), e2023WR035590. doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR035590

Orozco López, E., Kaplan, D., & Linhoss, A. (2024). Interpretable transformer neural network prediction of diverse environmental time series using weather forecasts. Water Resources Research, 60(10), e2023WR036337. doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2023WR036337

Tarabih, O. M., Arias, M. E., Santos, A. L., Hua, J., Cooper, R. Z., Khanal, A., Dang, T. D., Khare, Y. P., Charkhgard, H., Rains, M. C., & Zhang, Q. (2024). Effects of the spatial distribution of best management practices for watershed wide nutrient load reduction. Ecological Engineering, 201, 107211. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2024.107211

Dang, T. D., Arias, M. E., Tarabih, O., Phlips, E. J., Ergas, S. J., Rains, M. C., & Zhang, Q. (2023). Modeling temporal and spatial variations of biogeochemical processes in a large subtropical lake: Assessing alternative solutions to algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, Florida. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 47, 101441. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2023.101441

Hewageegana, V. H., Olabarrieta, M., & Gonzalez-Ondina, J. M. (2023). Main Physical Processes Affecting the Residence Times of a Micro-Tidal Estuary. Journal of Marine Science and Engineering, 11(7), 1333. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse11071333

Phlips, E. J., Badylak, S., Mathews, A. L., Milbrandt, E. C., Montefiore, L. R., Morrison, E. S., Nelson, N., & Stelling, B. (2023). Algal blooms in a river-dominated estuary and nearshore region of Florida, USA: the influence of regulated discharges from water control structures on hydrologic and nutrient conditions. Hydrobiologia, 850(20), 4385-4411. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-022-05135-w

Shi, L., Ortals, C., Valle-Levinson, A., & Olabarrieta, M. (2023). Influence of river discharge on tidal and subtidal flows in a microtidal estuary: Implication on velocity asymmetries. Advances in Water Resources, 177, 104446. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advwatres.2023.104446

Tarabih, O. M., Dang, T. D., Paudel, R., & Arias, M. E. (2023). Lake operation optimization of nutrient exports: Application of phosphorus control in the largest subtropical lake in the United States. Environmental Modelling & Software, 160, 105603. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2022.105603