Development of a web-based modelling framework for harmful algal blooms transport simulation using open-source technologies

Desktop-based modelling packages presented typical limitations in interactive simulation. This study presents a web-based modelling framework that fully consolidated the simulation work-flow into a WebGIS application, providing a one-step solution for HABs transport simulation within an intuitive and interactive modelling environment. An improved Lagrangian particle-tracking scheme was proposed using fractional Brownian motion technique. The presented model was devoted to quickly forecast the transport pathways in both temporal and spatial dimensions, and evaluate the approximate trends and qualitative understanding of HABs development in data-poor situations. The web modelling platform was developed using multiple open-source JavaScript libraries. The developed WebGIS application provides user-friendly interfaces to prepare inputs, configure simulation settings, visualize, analyse, and validate simulation results within the same framework. The feasibility, capacity, and advantage of the proposed framework were tested and evaluated in a real-world application of red tide transport simulation in the Qinhuangdao coastal waters. The model results showed qualitative agreement with the red tide observed from remote sensing. Our experimental results demonstrated that the developed web-based modelling prototype would present a useful performance for study cases related to HABs transport simulation.

Automated summary

This study presents a web-based modeling framework that addresses the limitations of desktop-based modeling packages in interactive simulation. The framework offers a one-step solution for harmful algal bloom (HABs) transport simulation in an intuitive and interactive modeling environment. An improved Lagrangian particle-tracking scheme is proposed using the fractional Brownian motion technique. The web-based modeling platform developed using open-source JavaScript libraries provides user-friendly interfaces for input preparation, simulation configuration, result visualization, analysis, and validation. The feasibility and capability of the framework are tested in a real-world application of red tide transport simulation, showing qualitative agreement with remote sensing observations of red tide. The developed web-based modeling prototype shows promise for HABs transport simulation studies.