Influence of hydrodynamics on controlling algal growth in the Ythan estuary, Scotland

Champangern, Khruewan (2019) Influence of hydrodynamics on controlling algal growth in the Ythan estuary, Scotland. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

Full text available as:
[thumbnail of thesis_coversheet.pdf] PDF
Download (29kB)
[thumbnail of 2019khruewanphd.pdf] PDF
Download (183MB)
Printed Thesis Information: http://eleanor.lib.gla.ac.uk/record=b3366097

Abstract

The estuary of the River Ythan, North-East Scotland, UK, is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) located in Forvie National Nature Reserve (NNR) and listed under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. This site has long been affected by eutrophication despite designation as a nitrate vulnerable zone (NVZ) under the EU Nitrates Directive (ND) in 2000. Annual proliferation of macroalgal mats in the estuary results in decreases in the number of the invertebrates, major food sources for terns, waders and wildfowl, which causes a serious ecological problem in the estuary. It is critical to understand water circulation in the estuary in response to river flows and tides, to assess the role of hydrodynamics on controlling nutrient movement and the distribution and density of annual macroalgal blooms. This understanding will contribute a deeper knowledge of estuarine eutrophication for use in developing management strategies and mitigation measures. This study aims to understand the role of hydrodynamics on controlling annual macroalgal mat formation in the Ythan estuary by simulating water circulation, nutrient concentrations and pathways in the estuary using the Delft3D model. In addition, the study aims to evaluate potential of using remote sensing data for aiding model calibration and validation. The results from the study reveal that hydrodynamics play a key role in controlling macroalgal growth in the estuary. Interaction between seasonal river flows and tides not only helps to create optimal water quality conditions which facilitate algal growth, but also influences nutrient movements across the estuary resulting in high nutrient availability in particular areas. In addition to hydrodynamics, tributary inflows and the timing of nutrient release from these tributaries impact nutrient concentrations and transport directions in the areas surrounding their input to the estuary. Areas of high nutrient availability coupled with low flow velocities (lower than 0.06 m/s) particularly on mudflats along the main channel, driven by interactions of river flow, tides and bed characteristics, have long durations of nutrient enrichment, and so much of the Ythan estuary is prone to eutrophication. As hydrodynamics along with the timing of nutrient inputs play key roles in controlling macroalgal growth, strategies and mitigation measures to modify hydrodynamics to prevent long residence time are required, as well as guidelines on the timing of release of wastewater from tributaries. The study also demonstrates advantages of using remote sensing in conjunction with modelling studies. Remote sensing data are very valuable for model calibration and validation as well as for estuarine ecological management to study impacts of eutrophication and other disturbances.

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Additional Information: Supported by funding from the Ministry of Science and Technology of Thailand.
Keywords: Eutrophication, River Ythan estuary, algal mats, Delft3D hydraulic model, hydrodynamics, remote sensing.
Subjects: G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GB Physical geography
Colleges/Schools: College of Science and Engineering > School of Geographical and Earth Sciences > Geography
Supervisor's Name: Hoey, Professor Trevor, Thomas, Dr. Rhian and Mitchard, Dr. Edward
Date of Award: 2019
Depositing User: Khruewan Champangern
Unique ID: glathesis:2019-74355
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 28 Aug 2019 10:38
Last Modified: 05 Mar 2020 22:31
Thesis DOI: 10.5525/gla.thesis.74355
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/74355

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year