Assessing the Interactions between Chlorophyll a and Environmental Variables Using Copula Method

作者：Wang, Yuankun; Ma, Huiqun; Sheng, Dong; Wang, Dong^*

来源：Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, 2012, 17(4): 495-506.

DOI：10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000387

• Chlorophyll a
• Environmental variables
• Copula method
• Kendall's tau
• Return period
• Wulihu lake

Eutrophication is a major water quality problem throughout the world. An understanding of the pattern of phytoplankton variation and the relationships between chlorophyll a and environmental variables can contribute to eutrophic lake management. In this study, the copula method is applied to discern the inherent relationship between chlorophyll a and environmental variables of Wulihu Lake to the north of Taihu Lake, China. The results show that the method can not only determine the correlation between chlorophyll a and environmental variables through Kendall's tau but also determine the joint distribution without assuming the variables to be independent. Moreover, the return period of chlorophyll a can be obtained for given different environmental variables. This study may provide insights for policy makers wishing to improve the water quality of lakes and reservoirs. DOI: 10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000387.

• 出版日期2012-4
• 单位南京大学; 污染控制与资源化研究国家重点实验室