Responses of lakes to experimental fertilization: harmful algal blooms and trace metal cycling

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) represent a global water quality issue of increasing importance. HABs, often dominated by cyanobacteria, produce unsightly growth, noxious compounds, and toxins that impair aquatic ecosystems for recreational and drinking water use. The drivers of HABs are not well characterized, which has led to the minimal success of management efforts to date. Evaluating multiple drivers, including nutrients, trace metals, and climate will help us to gain a greater understanding of HABs and how future management efforts can be applied successfully. This project will evaluate these potential drivers in concert through a partnership between University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and IISD-ELA. The latter organization specializes in the use of whole-ecosystem manipulations to inform management of water quality impairments, presenting an opportunity for interns to conduct cutting-edge research in a world-class facility.

Faculty Supervisor:

Sherry Schiff;Jason Venkiteswaran;Jason Venkiteswaran;Sherry Schiff

Student:

Partner:

IISD Experimental Lakes Area Inc

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Waterloo; Wilfrid Laurier University

Program: