Red Tide and Mathematical Modeling
Date of Award
2008
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelors
Department
Natural Sciences
First Advisor
McDonald, Patrick
Keywords
Karenia brevis, Mathematical Model, Prey-Switching
Area of Concentration
Mathematics
Abstract
The relationship between K. brevis, its zooplanktonic predators, and its competitors typically involves competition for and consumption of nutrients by algae and grazing of the algae by zooplankton. Generally, K. brevis is an outwardly poor-competitor which has the ability to produce secondary metabolites (e.g. toxins) that cause it to be less palatable to grazers or which adversely affect the growth of competitor algal species. This thesis outlines a possible mechanism for this ability to channel nutrient stress into a valuable tool, which allows it to form huge domains of nearly monospecific blooms killing nearly all competitor and predator life. We then describe a mathematical model composed of four partial differential equations, which describe precisely how changing nutrient stress and the effects of these changes can lead to massive offshore blooms of K. brevis which can sometimes spread and create dense inshore blooms as well. We end by giving a definition of toxicity in terms of parameters in the model and showing how long-term behavior of the system changes with respect to toxicity and nutrient growth at the shore. Throughout this work we are constantly motivated by the interdisciplinary problem of controlling and preventing K. brevis red tide blooms.
Recommended Citation
Price, Lance, "Red Tide and Mathematical Modeling" (2008). Theses & ETDs. 4015.
https://digitalcommons.ncf.edu/theses_etds/4015
Rights
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