Mathematical modeling of the ecosystem functioning conditions in the Chupa Estuary of the White Sea: Transformation of organogenic substances and bioproductivity of the marine environment

The use of a mathematical model, describing the transformations of organic and mineral compounds of C, Si, N, and P for the generalization of hydrological, hydrochemical, and hydrobiological data on nine regions in the White Sea is demonstrated. The regions examined include the head of Kandalaksha Gulf, Dvina Gulf, Mezen Gulf, Onega Bay, the Solovetskie Islands’ area, the central, deep-water part (or Basin), Gorlo, Voronka, and the Chupa Estuary. The results of modeling the transformations of biogenic substances in the water areas of the Chupa Estuary, and other gulfs and bays in the White Sea are compared and analyzed. Calculated variations in the concentrations of biogenic substances and detritus, microorganism biomasses, characteristics of their activity (specific growth rates and biomass turnover times) within a year are presented and discussed. The estimated characteristics are shown to agree with observational data. Particular attention is paid to estimating the organic matter production rates by phytoplankton and calculating balances of biogenic compounds in the Chupa Estuary.