Sediment and nutrient transport dynamics in two tributaries of Lake Erie: A numerical model

The objective of this research is to investigate spatial and temporal variation in the transport of phosphate by grain size fractions of suspended sediment in two Lake Erie tributaries. A sediment-phosphate transport model is proposed to evaluate and quantify the kinetic control of dissolved phosphate by fluvial sediment. A first-order assessment of the sediment-phosphate export from Big Otter Creek and Big Creek to Lake Erie is presented. Output from this model was calculated using historical discharge and sediment data collected by Environment Canada in combination with adsorption coefficients derived from laboratory experiments for a range of sediment grain size fractions. Results of these calculations provide a quantitative interpretation of the influence of suspended sediment on phosphate dynamics in tributaries and the potential impact on water quality of receiving waters.