Improving the validity and robustness of a Harmful Algal Bloom model through genetic algorithm-based optimization

Authored by Aletta T. Yniguez, Arjay C. Cayetano, Cesar L. Villanoy, Laura T. David, Josephine Dianne L. Deauna, Eileen L. Penaflor, Joseph Dominic H. Palermo, Garry A. Benico, Rhodora V. Azanza

Date Published: 2013

Sponsors: University of Philippines

Platforms: MASON

Model Documentation: Other Narrative Flow charts

Model Code URLs: Model code not found

Abstract

To study the complex patterns governing Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), an individual- or agent-based modeling approach was employed The constructed model was able to mechanistically represent both the biological and the physico-chemical factors involved during events of bloom and decline of the toxic dinoflagellate, Pyrodinium bahamense var. compressum (Pbc), within Sorsogon Bay. An inherent problem with this approach, however is that as the model complexity increases, it becomes harder to fit the model results to the in situ data during model calibration. The traditional approach to deal with this is to manually tweak the values of model parameters until the model output stabilizes or attains good agreement with field observations. However, this method. is time-consuming and does not guarantee accurate results. Hence, automated calibration of the Sorsogon Bay HAB model was designed, which makes use of an optimizer in the form of a genetic algorithm (GA). In this paper we investigate the effect of variations of the initial vertical distribution of Pbc (distribution of cells among different depths) on the model outcomes of cell increase and transport. The GA approach was used to determine the fit of the model output to field observations expressed as an optimization problem. The genetic algorithm provides values for model parameters during each simulation run and takes the error between the model output and the expected result as the objective for optimization. The GA-provided values for model parameters will then be incorporated into the model resulting to a more robust and valid representation. The calibrated model provides insights into the role of advection and spatial distribution on Pbc dynamics, and can then be more confidently used to explore various scenarios that could provide clues regarding the patterns of HAB and decline within Sorsogon Bay.

Tags

Genetic algorithm Model harmful algal blooms Pyrodinium Sorsogon Bay