Deriving pre-eutrophic conditions from an ensemble model approach for the North-West European seas
Type | Article | ||||||||||||
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Date | 2023-05 | ||||||||||||
Language | English | ||||||||||||
Author(s) | Van Leeuwen Sonja M.1, Lenhart Hermann-J.2, Prins Theo C.3, Blauw Anouk3, Desmit Xavier4, Fernand Liam5, Friedland Rene6, 7, Kerimoglu Onur8, Lacroix Genevieve4, Van Der Linden Annelotte3, Lefebvre Alain9, Van Der Molen Johan1, Plus Martin9, Ruvalcaba Baroni Itzel10, Silva Tiago5, Stegert Christoph11, 12, Troost Tineke A.3, Vilmin Lauriane3 | ||||||||||||
Affiliation(s) | 1 : Department of Coastal Systems, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ), Texel, Netherlands 2 : Department of Informatiks, Scientific Computing Group, Hamburg University, Hamburg, Germany 3 : Department of Marine and Coastal Systems, Deltares, Delft, Netherlands 4 : Operational Directorate Natural Environment, Royal Belgian Institute for Natural Sciences (RBINS), Brussels, Belgium 5 : Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Lowestoft, United Kingdom 6 : Joint Research Centre, Directorate D – Sustainable Resources, Ispra, Italy 7 : Physical Oceanography and Instrumentation, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde, Rostock, Germany 8 : Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany 9 : DYNECO-PELAGOS Laboratory, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER), Plouzané, France 10 : Department of Research and Development, Oceanography, Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute, Norrköping, Sweden 11 : Institute of Coastal Systems: Analysis and Modelling, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Geesthacht, Germany 12 : Operational Modelling Group, Bundesamt für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrographie, Hamburg, Germany |
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Source | Frontiers In Marine Science (2296-7745) (Frontiers Media SA), 2023-05 , Vol. 10 , P. 1129951 (19p.) | ||||||||||||
DOI | 10.3389/fmars.2023.1129951 | ||||||||||||
WOS© Times Cited | 3 | ||||||||||||
Keyword(s) | eutrophication, North Sea, OSPAR ICG-EMO, DIN, DIP, nutrients, chlorophyll, ecosystem modelling | ||||||||||||
Abstract | The pre-eutrophic state of marine waters is generally not well known, complicating target setting for management measures to combat eutrophication. We present results from an OSPAR ICG-EMO model assessment to simulate the pre-eutrophic state of North-East Atlantic marine waters. Using an ecosystem model ensemble combined with an observation-based weighting method we derive sophisticated estimates for key eutrophication indicators. Eight modelling centres applied the same riverine nutrient loads, atmospheric nutrient deposition rates and boundary conditions to their specific model set-up to ensure comparability. The pre-eutrophic state was defined as a historic scenario of estimated nutrient inputs (riverine, atmospheric) at around the year 1900, before the invention and widespread use of industrial fertilizers. The period 2009-2014 was used by all participants to simulate both the current state of eutrophication and the pre-eutrophic scenario, to ensure that differences are solely due to the changes in nutrient inputs between the scenarios. Mean values were reported for winter dissolved inorganic nutrients and total nutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus) and the nitrogen to phosphorus ratio, and for growing season chlorophyll, chlorophyll 90th percentile, near-bed oxygen minimum and net phytoplankton production on the level of the OSPAR assessment areas. Results showed distinctly lower nutrient concentrations and nitrogen to phosphorus ratio’s in coastal areas under pre-eutrophic conditions compared to current conditions (except in the Meuse Plume and Seine Plume areas). Chlorophyll concentrations were estimated to be as much as ~40% lower in some areas, as were dissolved inorganic phosphorus levels. Dissolved inorganic nitrogen levels were found to be up to 60% lower in certain assessment areas. The weighted average approach reduced model disparities, and delivered pre-eutrophic concentrations in each assessment area. Our results open the possibility to establish reference values for indicators of eutrophication across marine regions. The use of the new assessment areas ensures local ecosystem functioning is better represented while political boundaries are largely ignored. As such, the reference values are less associated to member states boundaries than to ecosystem boundaries. |
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