Assessing the Interactions between Chlorophyll a and Environmental Variables Using Copula Method
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 4
Abstract
Eutrophication is a major water quality problem throughout the world. An understanding of the pattern of phytoplankton variation and the relationships between chlorophyll a and environmental variables can contribute to eutrophic lake management. In this study, the copula method is applied to discern the inherent relationship between chlorophyll a and environmental variables of Wulihu Lake to the north of Taihu Lake, China. The results show that the method can not only determine the correlation between chlorophyll a and environmental variables through Kendall’s but also determine the joint distribution without assuming the variables to be independent. Moreover, the return period of chlorophyll a can be obtained for given different environmental variables. This study may provide insights for policy makers wishing to improve the water quality of lakes and reservoirs.
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Acknowledgments
This project was supported by the National Natural Science Fund of China (40725010 and 40730635), Water Resources Public-Warfare Project (200701024), the Research Fund for the Doctoral Program of Higher Education of China (20100091120059), and the Skeleton Young Teachers Program and Excellent Disciplines Leaders in Midlife-Youth Program of Nanjing University.
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Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 17 • Issue 4 • April 2012
Pages: 495 - 506
Copyright
© 2012. American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 7, 2010
Accepted: Feb 1, 2011
Published online: Feb 3, 2011
Published in print: Apr 1, 2012
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