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UID:0-7189@eng.ufl.edu
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T114500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20250219T123500
DTSTAMP:20250114T144103Z
URL:https://www.eng.ufl.edu/news-events/events/w3-optimizing-reservoir-ope
 rations-to-mitigate-nutrient-phytoplankton-loads-in-a-eutrophic-subtropica
 l-lake/
SUMMARY:W3: Optimizing Reservoir Operations to Mitigate Nutrient &amp\; Phy
 toplankton Loads in a Eutrophic Subtropical Lake
DESCRIPTION:Abstract: Harmful algal blooms have large impacts on aquatic ec
 osystem and human health. Nutrient enrichment\, in combination with warm w
 ater temperatures\, high light availability\, and low water turbulence\, h
 ave been proven to be major factors driving algal blooms. In this study\, 
 lake eutrophication processes\, including phytoplankton production and nut
 rient cycling\, were simulated and coupled with a reservoir operations mod
 el to optimize multi-criteria lake operation goals. The main objective of 
 this study was thus to design reservoir operations that minimized phosphor
 us (P)\, nitrate-nitrogen (NOx)\, and phytoplankton loads to downstream wa
 ter bodies\, while meeting other societal water resource demands in eutrop
 hic Lake Okeechobee\, the largest subtropical lake in the USA. We used an 
 open-source\, multi-objective evolutionary algorithm framework with four o
 ptimization objectives (minimizing P\, NOx\, and phytoplankton loads and w
 ater demand deficiits)\, assessing each constituent separately and in comb
 ination. In addition\, different optimization scenarios associated with ea
 ch objective were investigated. We identified multiple opportunities to re
 duce downstream loads while minimizing impacts on water demand deficits. N
 otably\, considering combined load objectives yielded substantial reductio
 ns in summertime P\, NOx\, and phytoplankton exports by up to 73%\, 82%\, 
 and 73%\, respectively\, with minimal increases in water demand deficits. 
 The coupled model offers the flexibility to explore alternative operationa
 l strategies in the future and can be adapted to other similar settings\, 
 providing a useful tool for balancing downstream water quality and societa
 l water resource needs.\n\nBio: Osama Tarabih is a dedicated researcher wi
 th a strong passion for hydrology\, ecology\, and developing innovative en
 gineering solutions to mitigate environmental impacts caused by altered hy
 drological systems. He currently serves as a postdoctoral scholar at the U
 niversity of South Florida (USF)\, where his research focuses on hydrologi
 c and water quality modeling of watersheds and lakes. Through his work\, O
 sama aims to guide decision-makers in designing optimal management strateg
 ies that enhance water quality and improve the well-being of communities r
 eliant on these resources. Osama earned his Ph.D. in Civil and Environment
 al Engineering from USF in December 2022. Before joining USF in the spring
  of 2018\, he was an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Irrigation an
 d Hydraulics at Cairo University\, where he obtained a master’s degree i
 n hydrology and water resources engineering. His diverse academic and prof
 essional experiences reflect his commitment to addressing critical environ
 mental challenges and advancing sustainable water resource management.
CATEGORIES:Seminars
LOCATION:Phelps Lab Room 101\, 1953 Museum Road\, Gainesville\, FL\, 32611\
 , United States
X-APPLE-STRUCTURED-LOCATION;VALUE=URI;X-ADDRESS=1953 Museum Road\, Gainesvi
 lle\, FL\, 32611\, United States;X-APPLE-RADIUS=100;X-TITLE=Phelps Lab Roo
 m 101:geo:0,0
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