Leon Boegman, Collaborations and Students

My main interest is in physical processes in lakes and their biological coupling. A part of my research is about how to quantify the impact of physical processes on oxygen depletion in Lake Erie. My approach is here to use finescale measurements to determine the contribution of high frequency internal waves to mixing, oxygen transport and sediment resuspension. Linked to the basin scale motion (Reza Valipour), this small scale turbulence study will enable to characterize the dynamics of the bottom boundary layer and hypoxia formation. Another part of my research is to determine the hydrodynamic of Lake Simcoe. My approach is here based on field data and numerical modeling (ELCOM) with objective to characterize the internal wave field. Again, this work is linked to biological and chemical aspects as the ultimate goal of this project is to predict the spatial variability of phosphorus concentrations. This Post Doc is an exciting opportunity to broaden my skills in physical limnology from the basin scale motions to the small scale turbulence, from the field measurements to the numerical modeling or even from the applied research to the fundamental research.

I am studying the formation of ice cover over mid and high latitude lake using numerical modelling. The effects of the ice cover on general circulation of lakes in cold regions makes the development of numerical ice models necessary to simulate and predict the ice formation. During winter, if the cold weather persists long enough, layers of blue ice, white ice and snow will usually form on the surface of a lake. When water freezes blue ice forms and snow accumulates on the blue ice surface; if the weight of snow exceeds the buoyancy of the ice, then white ice forms from flooded snow. A heat transfer algorithm among the three layers (white ice, blue ice and snow), air and the water is coupled with the three-dimensional lake circulation model, ELCOM (Estuary and Lake Computer Model), to allow simulation of hydrodynamics and the thermal structure beneath the ice during winter.  The objective of the project is to apply and validate the ELCOM ice cover module for simulation of some high and mid Latitude Lakes in Canada and Europe.

My research involves applying the Estuary and Lake Computer Model (ELCOM) in the Upper St. Lawrence River and Port Hope region in Lake Ontario.  The dominant physical processes in the CBL (Coastal Boundary layer) will be identified in the two hydrodynamically distinct study regions through spectral analysis. Finally, the implications of the physical processes in the CBL on contaminant transport and dispersion will be determined. Until now, I have applied ELCOM to the Upper St. Lawrence River and the model velocities have been used to delineate the Intake Protection Zones (IPZs) around 8 municipal drinking water intakes as part of Source Water protection study for the CRCA (Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority).

I am studying on the impacts of climate change on water quality and hydrodynamics in Ontario lakes (Hamilton Harbour, Lake Simcoe and Bay of Quinte). In my research, I use state-of-the-art computer models to directly simulate the response of threatened Ontario lakes to climate change. I work with the 1D hydrodynamic model of DYRESM, which should be coupled with the aquatic biogeochemistry model CAEDYM, an aquatic ecological model, to simulate nutrients, phytoplankton and oxygen to assess the water quality response of the lakes to hydrodynamic conditions from pre and post climate change scenarios. Finally, we hope to provide recommendations for sustainable management through direct involvement with government policy branches.

In the future, it may be feasible to construct an offshore wind farm for renewable energy in the area between Main Duck Island and Big Sandy Bay, in the Kingston Basin of eastern Lake Ontario. Prior to approval, there is a need to assess the wave, current and sediment dynamics through the complex bathymetry of the Kingston Basin. We apply the spectral surface wave model SWAN, coupled with the hydrodynamic model Delft3D to gain an understanding of the wave and flow conditions. The model will be validated using data from acoustic Doppler current profilers, thermistor chains, optical backscatter loggers and water level and wave gauges, collected in 2006, 2010-12. Future work will extend the model to determine the potential environmental impacts of offshore wind farm construction in the region.