Characteristics and impact factors of algal horizontal drifting in Lake Taihu

Abstract

In-situ observation platform was used to investigate impacts of wind speed,lake current and significant wave height( SWH) on algal horizontal drifting velocity in Zhushan Bay,Lake Taihu. Results showed that algal drifting rate on different observation days was alternating zigzag-type characteristics,and then the amplitude of algae drifting velocity within one day became obviously different. A significant positive linear correlation between algal drifting velocity and wind speed was observed. When SWHs are within the range of 0. 02 m and 0. 1 m,there was a dramatically negative linear correlation between algal drifting rate and SWHs; when SWHs were larger than 0. 1 m,wave could markedly change algae drifting patterns and destroy algae tablet layers. Lake current had insignificant effect on the algal drifting rates,although the direction of algal transport was regulated by the directions of lake current and wind. The relationships between algae horizontal drifting rates and wind speeds,SWHs and lake flow may be expressed by a multiple linear equation with the goodness of fit,which provided a theoretical basis for the construction of algal bloom prediction model.