Links between aquatic macrophytes, nutrient concentrations and deep-water oxygen in an Ontario lake

Human activity near lakes can have a profound impact on the state of the lake. When nutrient-rich pollution enters the lake it can cause toxic algal blooms, decreased oxygen levels, a loss of diversity, fish kills and degradation of water quality. Aquatic plants may limit nutrients in run-off from entering the main lake. Aquatic plants along the shoreline take up the nutrients that potentially enter the lake before they get to the open water zone. At Chandos Lake, Ontario, the species of aquatic plants living along the shoreline have changed due to an invasive plant entering the area. The effect this shift has had on the nutrient levels of the lake are unclear. To study this relationship, lake sediments (i.e., mud) can be used to infer historical changes in nutrients, oxygen, and shoreline plant abundance. TO BE CONT’D

Faculty Supervisor:

Katrina Moser

Student:

David Zilkey

Partner:

Chandos Lake Property Owners Association

Discipline:

Geography / Geology / Earth science

Sector:

Other services (except public administration)

University:

Program: