Wednesday, November 15, 2006 - 11:00 AM
277-12
Stream Water Quality Modeling Using AQUATOX: Hester Creek and Flint Brown River of Northern Alabama.
Teferi Tsegaye and Mezemir Wagaw. Alabama A&M University, 110 Marysa Drive, Huntsville, AL 35811-8768
The AQUATOX model is relatively new model and limited work has been done to test the application of this model for the South Eastern US. AQUATOX simulates multiple environmental stressors (including nutrients, organic loadings and chemicals, and temperature) and their effects on the algal, macrophyte, invertebrate, and fish communities. The model has the capability to evaluate the spatial and temporal relationship of various pollutants, such as nutrients and organic chemicals, and their effect on the organisms that reside within the water bodies. The objectives of our study are to evaluate the performance of AQUATOX model by comparing the predicted Total NH3-N, Nitrate-N, and Total Soluble P with corresponding field-measured values for Hester Creek and Flint Brown River of northern Alabama and to assess the temporal distribution of fish types, and population predicted by AQUATOX model. Results indicated that it is critical to have quality and consistent field data on discharge and other water quality parameters at multiple points in the watershed for model calibrations. The NH3-N and Total Soluble P predictions by AQUATOX are satisfactory, but needs improvement to predict NO3-N simulation capability.