Investigating spatial and temporal nutrient trends in the St. Lawrence River

Increasing our knowledge of Canada’s lakes and rivers is essential to maintain healthy aquatic ecosystems and to ensure human enjoyment of these waterbodies. This project will work with the local Indigenous community, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne, to better understand trends in nutrient levels along the Upper St. Lawrence River. Human activities, including agriculture, industry, and urbanization often contribute excess nutrients to lakes and rivers, degrading the aquatic ecosystem by triggering excessive growth of undesirable algae, which can reduce human enjoyment of these waterbodies. By analyzing nutrient levels in the Upper St. Lawrence River, this project will provide Indigenous communities, researchers, policymakers, industry, and local community members with vital information about the health of the St. Lawrence River. Additionally, by sharing this information in an open and accessible manner this project will contribute to future restoration, protection, and management of the Upper St. Lawrence River and other waterbodies in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Andrea Kirkwood

Student:

Partner:

St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Program: