| Abstract: | A time dependent, vertical plane mathematical model of nitrate distribution in Onslow Bay, North Carolina, is developed using similarity theory and conventional numerical techniques. Inputs of nitrate into Onslow Bay are the result of Gulf Stream intrusions (Atkinson et al., 1980) and this forcing is included as a boundary condition for this system. Advective and diffusive processes provide the mechanisms for transport of nitrate in Onslow Bay. The time dependence of the resulting nitrate fields is determined by the rate of phytoplankton removal of nitrate.Nondimensional numbers, arising from model formulation, indicate the relative importance of various processes included in the model. Two nondimensional numbers, H and P, and the nondimensional ratio, P/H, indicate interactions of physical processes. Importance of the biological terms is determined by a third nondimensional number, A. Model results are compared to nitrate data collected in Onslow Bay, North Carolina during an intrusion. |
