thumbnail

Computing maximum-likelihood estimates for parameters of the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish

Open-File Report 2012-1181
By:
https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20121181

Links

Abstract

This report presents the mathematical expressions and the computational techniques required to compute maximum-likelihood estimates for the parameters of the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish (NDMMF), a statistical model used to predict the concentration of methylmercury in fish tissue. The expressions and techniques reported here were prepared to support the development of custom software capable of computing NDMMF parameter estimates more quickly and using less computer memory than is currently possible with available general-purpose statistical software. Computation of maximum-likelihood estimates for the NDMMF by numerical solution of a system of simultaneous equations through repeated Newton-Raphson iterations is described. This report explains the derivation of the mathematical expressions required for computational parameter estimation in sufficient detail to facilitate future derivations for any revised versions of the NDMMF that may be developed.

Suggested Citation

Donato, D.I., 2012, Computing maximum-likelihood estimates for parameters of the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2012-1181, Report: iii, 16 p.; Appendix, https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20121181.

ISSN: 2331-1258 (online)

Publication type Report
Publication Subtype USGS Numbered Series
Title Computing maximum-likelihood estimates for parameters of the National Descriptive Model of Mercury in Fish
Series title Open-File Report
Series number 2012-1181
DOI 10.3133/ofr20121181
Year Published 2012
Language English
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Publisher location Reston, VA
Contributing office(s) South Florida Information Access
Description Report: iii, 16 p.; Appendix
Country United States
Online Only (Y/N) Y
Additional Online Files (Y/N) Y
Additional publication details