Phytoplankton Retention Mechanisms in Estuaries: A Case Study of the Elbe Estuary

This repository contains the <strong>model configuration and output</strong> for the publication:

<strong>Phytoplankton Retention Mechanisms in Estuaries: A Case Study of the Elbe Estuary.</strong>

Due to their role as primary producers, phytoplankton is essential for the proliferation of estuarine ecosystems. However, as small drifting organisms, phytoplankton cannot resist currents. Estuaries not only represent challenging habitats due to a strong salinity gradient, but also have net transport into oceans. So far, little is known about how phytoplankton retain themselves in estuaries. We present a new individual-based Lagrangian model of the Elbe estuary examining possible retention mechanisms of phytoplankton. In more detail, we investigated how reproduction, sinking and rising, as well as diel vertical migration might allow for population survival. We find that rising favors the retention success, fast sinking cause the opposite. We further provide first estimates on outwashing losses. Our simulations illustrate that shallow stretches of water along the river banks are essential for the long-term survival of phytoplankton populations. These results give important indications for ecosystem-based management of estuaries.