Nonlinear Analysis of Phosphorus Levels in Lake Okeechobee and Proposals of Solutions

Nonlinear Analysis of Phosphorus Levels in Lake Okeechobee and Proposals of Solutions

The research was designed to analyze the phosphorus levels in Lake Okeechobee and the consequences related to the introduction of supplemental nutrients in an oligotrophic ecosystem. The eutrophication of a fresh water habitat has the potential of negatively impacting the underwater species, as well as the predators that depend on these organisms to obtain their nutrition. An increase in the amount of phosphorus has portrayed a positive correlation with the stimulation of plant growth. The most detrimental consequences are associated to algal overgrowth, which causes the oxygen levels inside the water to decrease and therefore deplete the sub aquatic environment of this substantial resource. This domino effect leads to the reduction of nourishment for birds, fish, and other species, which can result in their extinction or departure from the Lake Okeechobee habitat. Solutions were designed to restore the oligotrophic characteristics of the lake using genetically engineered bacteria, which incorporates the genetic sequence for phosphorus consumption within the plasmid. Additionally, the introduction of noncompetitive species that have phytoplankton as a primary food source were examined to combat the expansion of algal blooms. Nonlinear representations of the predator-prey model were derived to illustrate the original condition of eutrophication, as well as the outcomes of the proposed solutions.