The model will be used to examine the relationship between nutrient loading and the estuary's water quality. It is a two-dimensional, laterally averaged circulation and water quality model. Simulations of water motion and the longitudinal and vertical distributions of important water quality parameters such as dissolved oxygen and phytoplankton biomass will be made for various nutrient loading and hydrologic scenarios. The final objective listed above will be accomplished during the project's long-term modeling phase. This work will be directed by Dr. Kenneth H. Reckhow , a professor at Duke University's School of the Environment , and Director of the North Carolina Water Resources Research Institute .
More information is available on the long-term modeling .
A network analysis model has also been developed by Dr. Bob Christian of East Carolina University as a means of understanding flows of energy and materials within the Neuse Estuary. The figure below depicts the biological and physical processes that are modeled in the Neuse Estuary Eutrophication Model. In this figure, model state variables, or groups of state variables, are shown in black boxes, while the process labels are shown in blue. The modeled region extends along the Neuse River from Streets Ferry to Oriental. Modeled Parameters Sixteen circulation and water quality parameters are predicted at each time step of a model run.