A dynamic model to simulate water level and salinity in a Mediterranean coastal lagoon
In this study, a dynamic model for a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Albufera des Grau, Menorca, Western Mediterranean) is presented. A simple model with limited data requirements was constructed to simulate the daily variations in water level (<em>WL</em>) and water salinity (<em>S&...
| Autores: | , , |
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| Formato: | artículo |
| Estado: | Versión aceptada para publicación |
| Fecha de publicación: | 2008 |
| País: | España |
| Recursos: | Universidad de Barcelona |
| Repositorio: | Dipòsit Digital de la UB |
| OAI Identifier: | oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/218214 |
| Acesso em linha: | https://hdl.handle.net/2445/218214 |
| Access Level: | acceso abierto |
| Palavra-chave: | Salinitat Llacs Illes Balears Mediterrània occidental Salinity Lakes Balearic Islands Western Mediterranean |
| Resumo: | In this study, a dynamic model for a Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Albufera des Grau, Menorca, Western Mediterranean) is presented. A simple model with limited data requirements was constructed to simulate the daily variations in water level (<em>WL</em>) and water salinity (<em>S</em>) in the lagoon. Both parameters constitute the main descriptors of the lagoon hydrology and have substantial ecological significance. The model consisted of three coupled submodels: a submodel for the water balance in the watershed, a submodel for the water balance in the lagoon and a submodel for the salt mass balance in the lagoon. The results of the study revealed that the model simulated the temporal dynamics of both <em>WL</em> and <em>S</em> with reasonable accuracy (mean error of 7.6 cm and 2.8 g L<sup>−1</sup> for <em>WL</em> and <em>S</em>, respectively). The model made it possible to determine the annual water and salt budgets, which were characterised by intense inter-annual variability. A simulation carried out for the last 30 years accurately predicted the long-term range of variation of salinity, and even severe hyperhaline periods were correctly simulated. The model is believed to be a useful tool in predicting the occurrence of ecologically degraded situations and could contribute to future biogeochemical studies. |
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