Bayesian Calibration and Uncertainty Quantification for a Large Nutrient Load Impact Model

TL;DR

This paper introduces a Bayesian computational method to quantify uncertainties in a large nutrient load model, enabling probabilistic predictions of algal biomass under different nutrient reduction scenarios.

Contribution

The study develops a novel Bayesian approach with Gaussian process emulators for efficient uncertainty quantification in complex nutrient load models.

Findings

Posterior predictive scenarios indicate low probability of meeting water quality objectives.

The Gaussian process emulator achieved high predictive accuracy within the posterior region.

The method enables fast and rigorous uncertainty assessment for large environmental models.

Abstract

Nutrient load simulators are large, deterministic, models that simulate the hydrodynamics and biogeochemical processes in aquatic ecosystems. They are central tools for planning cost efficient actions to fight eutrophication since they allow scenario predictions on impacts of nutrient load reductions to, e.g., harmful algal biomass growth. Due to being computationally heavy, the uncertainties related to these predictions are typically not rigorously assessed though. In this work, we developed a novel Bayesian computational approach for estimating the uncertainties in predictions of the Finnish coastal nutrient load model FICOS. First, we constructed a likelihood function for the multivariate spatiotemporal outputs of the FICOS model. Then, we used Bayes optimization to locate the posterior mode for the model parameters conditional on long term monitoring data. After that, we constructed a space filling design for FICOS model runs around the posterior mode and used it to train a Gaussian process emulator for the (log) posterior density of the model parameters. We then integrated over this (approximate) parameter posterior to produce probabilistic predictions for algal biomass and chlorophyll a concentration under alternative nutrient load reduction scenarios. Our computational algorithm allowed for fast posterior inference and the Gaussian process emulator had good predictive accuracy within the highest posterior probability mass region. The posterior predictive scenarios showed that the probability to reach the EUs Water Framework Directive objectives in the Finnish Archipelago Sea is generally low even under large load reductions.