Studies of Large-Scale Currents in Lake Erie, 1979–80

Currents and water temperatures were recorded at a large-scale grid of fixed moorings in Lake Erie from May 1979 through June 1980. Currents measured in the lower half of the central basin water column were mostly return flows (beneath the surface wind drift) driven by the surface pressure gradient. Often observed was a complex system of Lake Erie circulation gyres as predicted by models. Another common occurrence was for one of the central basin gyres to become dominant and envelop the whole basin in either uniform clockwise or anticlockwise flow. It is not fully certain why one of the circulation cells grows as opposed to the others, but the curl of the wind stress had influence. The currents were more barotropic than predicted by full Ekman layer current models. Tidal-like currents driven by the longitudinal seiches of Lake Erie dominate the island-filled passages between the western and central Lake Erie basins, with currents across the whole island chain very closely in phase. Processes of hypolimnion volume entrainment are suggested from the central basin temperature recordings. Large volume water exchanges between the central and eastern basins occurred after the water mass in the vicinity of the shallow ridge that separates them had become unstratified. These and other topics are discussed as the large data set generated from the experiment is explored.     

Lake Erie Central Basin Oxygen Depletion Changes from 1929–1980

The hypolimnetic oxygen depletion rates of the Lake Erie central basin have been reassessed using a new approach. In the past, the central basin rates have been calculated using the available data, excluding some areas based on either temperatures and/or depth definition. The high spatial variability in the data caused uncertainties in the mean value which were sufficiently large to prevent a statistically meaningful interval oxygen depletion rate time-trend analysis. The new approach reduces the effect of spatial variability (80%) on the calculation of the interval oxygen depletion rates and hence permits the identification of a time-trend with more precision, particularly when the data are corrected for the effects of vertical mixing, temperature effects on metabolic rates by using Q₁₀ coefficient, variable hypolimnion thicknesses, and seasonal variability. A linear regression analysis of the final corrected depletion rates with time shows a significant increase in the yearly average hypolimnetic oxygen depletion rate of 0.030 gm·m·⁻³mo·⁻¹ yr·⁻¹ between 1929 and 1980. This increase in the rate accounts for a loss of 4 to 5 gm·m⁻³ of oxygen from the central basin hypolimnion since the earliest oxygen records in 1929. This increase may be directly related to an increase in the trophic level of the central basin, since most of the major limnological variables which affect the depletion rate have been accounted for.     

An exploration of Lake Ontario’s offshore epibenthic cladoceran community

Pelagic cladocerans are relatively well studied within the Great Lakes. However, little is known about cladocerans that more closely interact with benthic substrate. In 2018, 26 sites in Lake Ontario were sampled with benthic grabs to collect meiofauna. The stations ranged in depth from 0.1 to 184 m with sand, silt or hard bottom substrate. Epibenthic cladocerans were recovered from all 12 sites shallower than 20 m, five of eight sites between 20 and 40 m and one (63 m deep) of six sites deeper than 40 m. The density of epibenthic cladocerans were at most 12% of the density of harpacticoid copepods (shallow hard bottom sites). The Lake Ontario epibenthic cladoceran community was represented by 16 species from 8 different genera although one of these species, Illyocryptus cf. sordidus, is likely represented by two cryptic species. The most widespread species was identified as Alona sibirica (Sinev, 2020), a newly described species from Russia formerly of the Alona cf. affinis (Leydig, 1860) species complex. The Great Lakes specimens were 98.3% similar genetically to sequences assigned to A. cf. sibirica. Among substrates, sand had the highest densities (1662 m² in 0–20 m) and species richness (10) of epibenthic Cladocera. After cladocerans were identified, the cytochrome oxidase I (COI) gene of 37 specimens were successfully sequenced through the Barcode of Life (BOLD). Six specimens were assigned to three previously existing Barcode Identification Numbers (BINs), the remaining 31 specimens were assigned to eight new BINs.     

Does Lake Erie still have sufficient oxythermal habitat for cisco Coregonus artedi?

In Lake Erie, cisco (Coregonus artedi) once supported one of the most valuable freshwater fisheries on earth, yet overfishing caused their eventual extirpation from the lake. With warming lake temperatures, some have questioned whether Lake Erie still contains suitable oxythermal conditions for cisco. Using published oxythermal thresholds for adult cisco (which have more stringent requirements than juveniles) and oxythermal profiles from Lake Erie, we sought to answer two questions critical to cisco restoration science. First, is cisco habitat still available during the most restrictive periods? Second, what is the distribution of cisco habitat during these times? Beta regression was used to determine that cisco habitat was most limited during the month of August, and that August of 2010 was the most restrictive period in the time series. We then used Empirical Bayesian Kriging (EBK) to map the spatial extent of cisco habitat during these times. EBK maps revealed large areas of summer refugia for cisco in Lake Erie, even during the least favorable periods. Most of the Central and East Basins contain suitable habitat during the average August, yet during August of 2010, suitable conditions were limited to the eastern edge of the Central Basin and the deep waters of the East Basin. These findings aligned well with historical accounts of cisco landings. While suitable oxythermal habitat still exists for cisco in Lake Erie, future restoration efforts, if attempted, will partially depend on: 1) better management of nutrient inputs, 2) the realization of future climate scenarios, and 3) the ability of cisco to adapt to a changing lake.     

Ice thickness measurements in Lake Erie during the winter of 2010–2011

Time series measurements of ice thicknesses were made at either 1 or 2?Hz at 6 locations in the western part of Lake Erie's central basin during the winter of 2010–2011. Ice was observed over approximately 80?days beginning in late December and continuing through mid-March. Deformation and ridging of ice occurred frequently and produced ice thicknesses of up to 10?m, and over 6?m at all stations. The measurements show considerable variability (up to several meters) between stations, even when the distance between them is <500?m. Comparison of the measurements to those generated by the National Ice Center show good agreement for undeformed thicknesses, but the Ice Center analyses do not account for increased thicknesses due to ice ridging. Several different measures of ice thickness (based on different averaging times and the parameter used to characterize the resulting distribution of thicknesses) are used to characterize the data, and the results can vary widely depending upon which measure is used. The best measure to use will depend upon the use for which the data is intended.     

Fifty Years of Physical Investigations and Related Limnological Studies on Lake Erie, 1928–1977

To set the scene for the papers which follow, this review presents the principal findings of hydrodynamic and related chemical and sedimentological studies in Lake Erie beginning with the 1928/29 cooperative surveys of the central and eastern basins (Fish 1929, 1960) and ending with the (also cooperative) “Project Hypo” (Burns and Ross 1972) and the papers assembled in the 1976 special number, “Lake Erie in the Early Seventies” (J. Fish. Res. Board Canada, Vol. 33). Attention is also drawn to the far-reaching and interweaving influence of the physical phenomena on biological and sedimentological processes operating in the lake. Where needed to place the half-century's findings in context or to lead into the papers which follow in this issue, some references to work published before 1928 or after 1977 are also included. After an introduction, the review examines: surface surges and seiches; thermal stratification and its coupling with the distribution of oxygen and phosphorus in bottom water; long-term and short-term circulation patterns; sedimentation and sediment transport.     

A modeling study of ice–water processes for Lake Erie applying coupled ice-circulation models

A hydrodynamic model that includes ice processes and is optimized for parallel processing was configured for Lake Erie in order to study the ice–water coupling processes in the lake. A hindcast from April 2003 to December 2004 with hourly atmospheric forcing was conducted. The model reproduced the seasonal variation of ice cover, but the development of ice extent in January and its decay in March somewhat preceded the observations. Modeled lake circulation in ice-free seasons is consistent with previous studies for Lake Erie. Thermal structure of the lake was reasonably comparable to both satellite-derived observations and in-situ measurements, with mean differences ranging from − 2 °C to 4 °C, depending on the season. The impacts of ice–water stress coupling and basal melting of ice were examined based on numerical experiments. The results show that: 1) ice–water stress coupling significantly dampens the subjacent lake circulation in winter due to packed ice cover that slows down the surface water, and 2) basal melting of ice contributes to widespread ice cover in the lake. The demonstrated model validity could lead to further studies of ice–water processes in the lake, including interannual variation and impacts on ecosystems.     

A novel method for tracking western Lake Erie Microcystis blooms, 2002–2011

After a period of improvement from the late 1970s through the mid 1990s, western Lake Erie has returned to eutrophic conditions and harmful algal blooms now dominated by the cyanobacterium Microcystis aeruginosa. The detection of long-term trends in Microcystis blooms would benefit from a convenient method for quantifying Microcystis using archived plankton tows. From 2002 to 2011, summer Microcystis blooms in western Lake Erie were quantified using plankton tows (N = 649). A flotation separation method was devised to quantify Microcystis biovolume in the tows, and the method was tested against whole water cell counts. Floating Microcystis biovolume (mL) in preserved tows was highly correlated with total Microcystis cells (R² = 0.84) and biomass (R² = 0.95) in whole water samples. We found that Microcystis annual biovolume was highly variable among years; the 2011 bloom was 2.4 times greater than the second largest bloom (2008) and 29.0 times greater than the smallest bloom (2002). Advantages of the method include use of archived samples, high sampling volume, and low effort and expense. Limitations include specificity for cyanobacterial blooms dominated by large Microcystis colonies and the need for site-specific validation. This study indicates that the flotation method can be used to rapidly assess past and present Microcystis in western Lake Erie and that there was high variability in the timing, duration, and intensity of the annual Microcystis blooms over a 10-year period. The data made possible by this method will aid further investigations into the underlying causal factors of blooms.     

Lake Ontario’s nearshore zooplankton: Community composition changes and comparisons to the offshore

In large lake systems the nearshore habitat is an intermediate zone between the shoreline and offshore, is an important nursery for larval fish, and is highlighted as an area in need of research in the Laurentian Great Lakes. In this study, we used two long-term monitoring programs to characterize the nearshore zooplankton community composition using seasonal data (May – October) and to compare the nearshore and offshore zooplankton community composition changes over time (1998 – 2019) to determine if the changes were synchronized. In the nearshore, we found the highest zooplankton biomass during the late summer/early fall (August 27th – Oct 6th), compared to mid-summer (July 1st – Aug 26th) and late spring (May 20th – June 30th). In the summer, the nearshore zooplankton community was dominated by cladocerans while copepods dominated the offshore community. From 1998 to 2019, both nearshore and offshore copepods shifted from a cyclopoid to a calanoid-dominated state, but the details of this change were different. For example, taxon-specific analysis revealed that despite reduced cyclopoids in both habitats, Mesocyclops edax increased in the nearshore. Additionally, taxon-specific analysis suggested the changes occurred an average of three years earlier in the nearshore. Using Analysis of Similarity, the nearshore and offshore summer zooplankton community compositions became increasingly distinct over time. Results from this study highlight the uniqueness of the nearshore in large lake systems, the importance of seasonal and long-term monitoring, and the potential of the nearshore as an early indicator of offshore changes.     

Quantifying the Human Induced Water Level Decline of China’s Largest Freshwater Lake from the Changing Underlying Surface in the Lake Region

In recent years, dramatic decline in China’s largest freshwater lake, Poyang Lake, has raised wide concerns about water supply and ecological crises in the middle–lower Yangtze River reaches. To assist in resolving the debates regarding the low water regime of the lake, the current study quantitatively assessed the enhanced water level decline from the changing underlying surface in the Poyang Lake region. It is the first time that the magnitude, temporal–spatial difference, trend development and background mechanism of lake water level variation and its causes are studied comprehensively. The results revealed that the changing underlying surface in the lake region has caused an average decline of annual water level of 0.26 m ~ 0.75 m across the lake during 2000–2014, which shows great seasonal and spatial differences. The enlarged outflow cross–section due to extensive sand mining was the major reason for the effect on water level decline in the northern lake. While, increased water surface gradient should be attributed to water level decline in the southern lake. The long–term increasing trend of annual lake water level decline reflects the cumulative effects of lake bottom topography change caused by the continuous south movement of sand mining activities.     

Is glyphosate an underlying cause of increased dissolved reactive phosphorus loading in the Western Lake Erie basin?

The western Lake Erie basin has been experiencing increasing dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP) loads since approximately 1994, the causes of which are not well understood. Changing agricultural practices such as no-till agriculture and tile drainage are certain to have an effect on DRP loads. This study examines glyphosate as a potential driver of the observed increase in the western Lake Erie basin DRP loads since 1994 by examining adoption of herbicide-tolerant crops, glyphosate use, and both DRP loads and concentrations from the mid-1990’s to the present. Glyphosate’s widespread usage contributes to DRP loadings and eutrophication in the western Lake Erie basin.     

The use of NDVI and its Derivatives for Monitoring Lake Victoria’s Water Level and Drought Conditions

Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), which is a measure of vegetation vigour, and lake water levels respond variably to precipitation and its deficiency. For a given lake catchment, NDVI may have the ability to depict localized natural variability in water levels in response to weather patterns. This information may be used to decipher natural from unnatural variations of a given lake’s surface. This study evaluates the potential of using NDVI and its associated derivatives (VCI (vegetation condition index), SVI (standardised vegetation index), AINDVI (annually integrated NDVI), green vegetation function (F _g ), and NDVIA (NDVI anomaly)) to depict Lake Victoria’s water levels. Thirty years of monthly mean water levels and a portion of the Global Inventory Modelling and Mapping Studies (GIMMS) AVHRR (Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer) NDVI datasets were used. Their aggregate data structures and temporal co-variabilities were analysed using GIS/spatial analysis tools. Locally, NDVI was found to be more sensitive to drought (i.e., responded more strongly to reduced precipitation) than to water levels. It showed a good ability to depict water levels one-month in advance, especially in moderate to low precipitation years. SVI and SWL (standardized water levels) used in association with AINDVI and AMWLA (annual mean water levels anomaly) readily identified high precipitation years, which are also when NDVI has a low ability to depict water levels. NDVI also appears to be able to highlight unnatural variations in water levels. We propose an iterative approach for the better use of NDVI, which may be useful in developing an early warning mechanisms for the management of lake Victoria and other Lakes with similar characteristics.     

Seasonal variation in light penetration and subsurface chlorophyll-α in southern Lake Michigan observed by a glider

The Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research (CIGLR) in collaboration with the Great Lakes Observing System and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (NOAA GLERL) deployed an autonomous underwater glider in southern Lake Michigan several times per year between 2012 and 2019 to collect offshore (>30 m depth) limnological measurements, including temperature, photosynthetically active radiation (beginning during 2015), and chlorophyll-α fluorescence. From these data, we calculated mixed layer depth, several measures of light penetration (diffuse attenuation coefficient, first optical depth, euphotic zone depth), and depth of the subsurface chlorophyll-α maxima. During summer, mean offshore mixed layer depth was typically 10–15 m, K_d for PAR was 0.1–0.17 m^?1, first optical depth was 6–9 m, euphotic zone depth was 35–40 m, and depth of subsurface chlorophyll-α maxima was 30–35 m. We also observed substantial spatial and temporal variation in these values across the basin and within and among seasons. Glider-based observations provide a wider horizontal and vertical perspective than other methods (e.g., ship- and satellite-based observations, buoys, and fixed moorings), and are therefore a valuable, complementary tool for Great Lakes limnology. The set of observations reported here provide seasonal and basin-scale information that may help to identify anomalies useful for future glider-assisted investigation into the role of biophysical processes in Great Lakes limnology and ecology.     

Exploring China’s approach to implementing ‘eco-compensation’ schemes: the Lake Tai watershed as case study considered through a legal lens

For close to a decade China has been implementing ‘eco-compensation’ mechanisms to address water-related ecosystem issues. This paper examines China’s approach to eco-compensation through experience in the Lake Tai watershed. Four typologies of eco-compensation schemes are identified and analysed, primarily through a legal lens. It is concluded that while progress has been made, there is need for improved legal approaches to this complex topic.     

Factors affecting Cladophora growth in the eastern basin of Lake Erie: Analysis of a monitoring dataset (2012–2019)

Cladophora is a naturally occurring benthic alga in the Great Lakes which can reach nuisance levels in the nearshore, leading to beach closures and other impacts. A monitoring program was initiated in 2012 in the eastern basin of Lake Erie to identify ecological factors driving its growth. Inflows from the Grand River, the largest river to the north shore, were generally positively associated with phosphorus concentrations in the nearshore and negatively associated with light reaching the lakebed. At the depths sampled (3 m–18 m), Cladophora was strongly influenced by light availability, and due to shading by the Grand River plume, an overall negative association was found between Cladophora biomass and phosphorus inputs. Phosphorus limitation was only observed at shallow sites farthest from the Grand River. Positive associations between dreissenid mussel coverage and both Cladophora biomass and tissue phosphorus suggest that nutrient cycling by dreissenids supports Cladophora growth. Our results indicate that i.) the Grand River has a strong influence on nearshore nutrient levels and water clarity; and ii.) Cladophora is limited by both phosphorus and light to varying degrees within the study area, although light appears to be the dominant factor, at least at these depths, years, and locations. The implication that phosphorus reductions could lead to increased Cladophora biomass by improving light conditions will need to be considered carefully against the known historical success of controlling nuisance algae through nutrient management.     

Advancing Freshwater Lake Level Forecast Using King’s Castle Optimization with Training Sample Adaption and Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System

Water Resources Management - This study presents a novel method for more accurate forecasting freshwater Lake Levels with complex fluctuation patterns due to multiple anthropogenic demands and...     

Copper-rich “Halo” off Lake Superior’s Keweenaw Peninsula and how Mass Mill tailings dispersed onto tribal lands

Over a century ago, shoreline copper mills sluiced more than 64 million metric tonnes of tailings into Lake Superior, creating a “halo” around the Keweenaw Peninsula with a buried copper peak. Here we examine how tailings from one of the smaller mills (Mass Mill, 1902–1919) spread as a dual pulse across southern Keweenaw Bay and onto tribal L’Anse Indian Reservation lands. The fine (“slime clay”) fraction dispersed early and widely, whereas the coarse fraction (stamp sands) moved more slowly southward as a black sand beach deposit, leaving scattered residual patches. Beach stamp sands followed the path of sand eroding from Jacobsville Sandstone bluffs, mixing with natural sands and eventually adding onto Sand Point, at the mouth of L’Anse Bay. Dated sediment cores and a multi-elemental analysis of the buried Cu-rich peak in L’Anse Bay confirm a tailings origin. Copper concentrations are declining in the bay, yet copper fluxes remain elevated. The spatial and temporal studies underscore that enhanced sediment and copper fluxes around the Keweenaw Peninsula largely reflect historic mining releases. Mercury is correlated with copper, yet mercury concentrations and fluxes remain relatively low in Keweenaw Bay compared to nearby Superfund sites (Torch and Portage Lakes), perhaps reflecting the absence of smelters on Keweenaw Bay. Tribal efforts to remediate contamination are progressing, but are hindered by recent high water levels plus severe storms. The long-term repercussions of Mass Mill discharges caution against mine companies discharging even small amounts of tailings into coastal environments.