Modelling Phytoplankton in the Vaal River (South Africa)

In this study a site-specific, multi-algal species mathematical model is developed to allow meaningful predictions of water quality of the Vaal River on a short and medium time-scale. The model takes into account the variability of six environmental variables, namely light, temperature, turbidity, dissolved inorganic nitrogen, phosphorus and silicon concentrations, that are all known to have a major effect on algal growth in the river.