Modelling nutrient mass balance in a temperate meso-tidal estuary: Implications for management

A mathematical model was also created for the southern arm of the Mondego (MIKE 11), in the hope that it will become a reliable management tool that could help in future decisions relating to the system. The mass balance calculations and scenario analysis were based on nutrient field measurements and nutrient results from the hydrodynamic simulation (concentration of dissolved inorganic material, adsorbed to suspended particulate matter and bound in vegetation fractions). The importance of biological elements to estuarine dynamics was assessed, comparing simulations including these factors (water quality and eutrophication modules) with others containing only the hydrodynamic and advection-dispersion modules.