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Spatio-Temporal Control of Nutrient Pollution from Organic Waste

Abstract:

Better management of anthropogenic organic waste and other primary sources of nutrient pollution such as agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste, will reduce the human impact on the environment. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a major environmental impact from organic waste and nutrient pollution. HABs can pose severe threats to human health due to the release of dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water that can negatively affect public health, increase treatment costs for drinking water, and cause enormous economic loss in industries that depend on clean water. In this study, the effect of decisions made in the organic waste supply chain (SC) on reducing the potential for HABs is investigated by integrating three types of models: a SC optimization model, a nutrient transport model, and an algae growth model. This contribution presents a comprehensive spatio-temporal management strategy for short-term HAB reduction by adjusting components in the SC, including technologies, logistics, nutrient management plans (NMPs) or environmental costs, and seasonal waste storage planning. In addition, it is presented a case study of the Upper Yahara Watershed in the State of Wisconsin to illustrate the practicability of this modeling framework.