Modelling algal blooms in the middle vaal river: A site specific approach

In this article a multi-algal species mathematical model is presented that is aimed at assisting the South African authorities, by providing them with a tool that can both lead to a better understanding of a standing bloom situation and to also enable meaningful predictions of water quality in the short and medium time. The model is site specific and takes into account that variability of six environmental parameters (light, temperature, turbidity, dissolved silicon concentration, dissolved nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations), which are known to have a major effect on algal growth in the Vaal River. Using data relative to the Stilfontein site, the model was double-validated and a set of 14 algal categories were designed to represent the total algal community. The major genera constituting seven of the 14 categories have been identified.