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Total phosphorus too low

Tue, 11/17/2009 - 6:14am — Karoline
Hi, finally my water quality calibration seems to represent the system quite well. Algal blooms, phosphate (PO4) and other parameters fit to the measurements. However, simulated TP values are around 0.1 whereas measured TP ranges from 0.1 to 1.2 (mean 0.4). Organic, CBOD and algae stoichiometry is set on default values. How can I influence the simulation of TP? Karoline
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Water Quality
Tue, 11/17/2009 - 12:50pm — chris

Hi Karoline, You might check your organic matter settling rates (POMS in control file). It's possible that the TP is moving to the sediments too quickly. Another possibility is that there is not enough phosphorus flowing into the system through branch inflows or tributaries. Did you use TP data to create the boundary condition files? A phosphorus flux from the sediments to the water column is another potential source (though your PO4 calibration seems to be ok). chris