A high resolution study of spatial and temporal variability of natural and anthropogenic compounds in offshore Lake Superior sediments

An 8 km² area representative of deep offshore basins in Lake Superior was surveyed with multi-beam sonar and a high-frequency seismic-reflection system to create a high-resolution bathymetric map of the lake floor morphology, which is dominated by ring-shaped depressions attributed to the dewatering of glacial-lacustrine clays. Ten multi-cores were recovered from the survey area. The cores were scanned for magnetic susceptibility (MS), dated by ²¹⁰Pb and analyzed for water content, total organic carbon (TOC) and nitrogen (TON), biogenic silica (BSi), and total (THg) and methyl (MeHg) mercury. MS profiles varied considerably, inferring substantial centennial-scale differences in sedimentation history among the core sites. Concentration profiles of the analyzed constituents displayed differences of about ± 15% TOC, ± 40% BSi, ± 50% THg and ± 50% MeHg. Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations were typical of past measurements, and the mean THg accumulation rate (12 μg/m² year) was similar in magnitude to that of atmospheric Hg deposition. Sediment mass accumulation rates (MAR) ranged among the cores between average values of about 50 g/m² year in the ring centers to as high as 180 g/m² year between rings. Temporal variation in MAR within cores varied considerably on a decadal scale as well. Sediment redistribution by bottom currents over the complex morphology of the Lake Superior basin is not uniform in space and time, and indicates that a single core from any given area in the lake may not reflect the true history of environmental conditions that extend even a few hundred meters beyond the core site.     

Pond sediments on nesting islands in eastern Lake Ontario provide insights into the population dynamics and impacts of waterbird colonies

Marked increases in ring-billed gulls and double-crested cormorants in the Laurentian Great Lakes during the last century have garnered attention over their ecological impacts, sparking debates about management strategies. However, monitoring data are generally sparse and of short duration for these colonies, hampering the ability to place recent changes within long-term context. Sediment records from ponds immediately surrounded by colonies on nesting islands can be used to track past bird populations, as they release wastes with geochemical signals that can be tracked using traditional paleolimnological methods, such as diatoms and stable isotopes of nitrogen (δ¹⁵N). Here, we provide new information about waterbird nesting histories on islands in eastern Lake Ontario that are of interest to wildlife managers. In all bird-impacted ponds, eutrophic diatom assemblages and elevated sediment chlorophyll-a coincided with high signatures of δ¹⁵N in the recent sediments, signifying bird influence. An absence of significant bird impacts in the oldest portion of one sediment core indicates that the current cormorant colony size (>2000 birds) is unprecedented over the ~150-year record. Diatoms and sediment chlorophyll-a also responded to even a small, short-duration cormorant nesting event on an actively managed reference island. Collating our findings with those from four previously studied sediment cores from nearby islands, we show that cormorants are unlikely to have occupied eastern Lake Ontario in their current numbers within the past ~150?years. However, ring-billed gulls have likely used several islands in the area for most of the 20th century (and perhaps earlier) until present.     

Impacts of climate change on hydrology and water quality: Future proofing management strategies in the Lake Simcoe watershed,Canada

The impacts of climate change on hydrology and water quality of the Black River, a tributary of Lake Simcoe, Canada, were assessed for the period 2001–2100, by integrating two models, HBV and INCA-P, and using statistically downscaled data from the Global Circulation Model CGCM3 for two IPCC scenarios (A1b and A2). The effectiveness of catchment management strategies was assessed across the 21st century by simulating controls on sewage treatment works and fertiliser applications, and implementing buffer strips and bank erosion controls.     

Influence of Nutrients in Water and Sediments on the Spatial Distributions of Benthos in Lake Simcoe

The shoreline and sublittoral areas of Lake Simcoe were surveyed in October 2005 as part of a baseline inventory of current conditions, and as part of an exploratory analysis to determine if there were threshold nutrient levels above which nutrients were a major controlling factor in the distributions (abundances) of benthic organisms. Along the shore environment, there was no generalized relationship between nutrients and indices of benthic community composition below water-borne total phosphorus concentrations of ∼ 0.05 mg/L, indicating that other factors were more important at those lower levels of phosphorus. Benthic community composition did not vary with water quality in the sublittoral zone, but did vary with sediment quality (total Kjeldahl nitrogen, total phosphorus). The benthic community had higher relative abundances of caddisflies and mayflies at sublittoral stations with TKN levels at or near the provincial low-effect level of 550 mg/kg, and had higher relative abundances of more tolerant taxa such as worms, amphipods, and snails at locations with TKN levels in excess of the provincial severe-effect level of 4,800 mg/kg. The relationship between composition and TKN in sediments was not obvious below concentrations of ∼ 300 mg/kg, indicating that other factors were more important at those levels of TKN. This study was the first to document an inland (non-Great Lake) colonization by the exotic amphipod Echinogammarus ischnus. This species was found along most of the shoreline with the exception of shorelines within Cook's Bay, along Sibbald Point Provincial Park and at the far end of Kempenfelt Bay. Where found, E. ischnus were generally numerically dominant members of the benthic community.     

Spatiotemporal patterns of water quality in Lake Ontario and their implications for nuisance growth of Cladophora

This study, motivated by a resurgence in Cladophora, investigates changes in the nutrient environment in the littoral zone of Lake Ontario. We measured nutrient concentrations from 2004 to 2008 at two littoral zone (2–12 m) sites on the north shore of Lake Ontario where Cladophora has experienced a resurgence and compared concentrations with data collected in the late 1970s. Spring total phosphorus (TP) and soluble reactive P (SRP) concentrations have significantly declined at these two sites. Furthermore, P loading from the major tributaries to our study sites declined between 1964 and 2008. Upwelling events were not detectably associated with increases in P concentrations at our sites. We conclude that a recent upsurge in nuisance Cladophora, at least at these sites, cannot be explained by deteriorating littoral zone water quality in terms of P concentrations or by changes in catchment loading. For additional context, we also examined trends in coastal (14–20 m) and offshore (> 50 m) nutrients using Environment Canada epilimnetic surveillance data, 1975–2008. Significant declines in TP and SRP concentrations have occurred in north coast waters, concurrent with declines in the offshore. However, nutrient concentrations, notably spring SRP, have not decreased among south coast stations, potentially reflecting greater coastal entrapment of catchment-derived waters. We infer that EC-monitored north coast stations reflect integrated interannual water quality, while south coast stations are more strongly influenced by catchment loading. The effects of higher nutrient concentrations along the south coast, which co-occur with lower water transparency, on benthic algal growth have yet to be determined.     

Quantification of internal phosphorus load in large,partially polymictic and mesotrophic Lake Simcoe,Ontario

Hypoxia and cyanobacteria still occur occasionally in large, mesotrophic Lake Simcoe, and total phosphorus (TP) concentration has remained relatively constant despite external nutrient load reduction. This may indicate a potential internal P source. Internal load as redox-dependent P release from bottom sediments is hard to determine in such a relatively shallow and mostly mixed lake. This study represents the first attempt to quantify internal P loading over many years for the three main sections of Lake Simcoe. Internal load was determined (a) as in situ estimate based on TP increases between July and October and (b) as gross estimate from the product of experimentally determined P release rates and hypoxic extent of sediment surfaces in space and time. Hypoxic extent was quantified (1) as the hypoxic factor determined from dissolved oxygen profiles below the level of 3.5 mg/L, and (2) as active sediment area release factor (AA) modeled from summer euphotic TP concentration, which is especially useful in the mixed sections. Annual internal load for the whole lake was determined as a near constant 62.2 metric tonnes/yr (86 mg/m²/yr) for 1980–2011 using the gross estimates of the AA approach and 88 t/yr before and 53 t/yr after external load abatement and zebra mussel invasion using in situ estimates. Means of in situ and AA-based estimates for 2000–2011 are in close agreement except for polymictic Cook's Bay. These estimates are 45 to 89% of external load, which suggests that internal loading is an important source of P in Lake Simcoe.     

Habitat use and diet composition of juvenile Atlantic salmon in a tributary of Lake Ontario

The habitat use and diet of juvenile Atlantic salmon Salmo salar was examined in the South Sandy Creek drainage that discharges into eastern Lake Ontario. Subyearling salmon were stocked in early May during two consecutive years, and habitat and diet evaluations were made in mid-July and mid-October in 2005 and 2006. Both subyearling and yearling Atlantic salmon occupied deeper and faster areas that had more cover and larger sized substrate materials than was present, on average, within the study reach. Differences in habitat use between subyearling and yearling salmon only occurred in summer. Principal component analysis showed that of the habitat variables examined, the amount of cover and size of substrate were more important to juvenile salmon in summer, whereas depth and velocity were more important in the fall. Trichopteran larvae (mainly hydropsychids) dominated the diet of juvenile Atlantic salmon, and parr were feeding most heavily from the substrate as compared to the drift. The juvenile ecology of this re-introduced population of Atlantic salmon is consistent with that reported in other studies throughout the species native range.     

Diet Composition and Feeding Periodicity of Wild and Hatchery Subyearling Chinook Salmon in Lake Ontario

Diel feeding periodicity, daily ration, and diet composition of wild and hatchery subyearling Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha were examined in Lake Ontario and the Salmon River, New York. The diet of wild riverine salmon was composed mainly of aquatic invertebrates (63.4%), mostly ephemeropterans (25.8%), chiromomids (15.8%), and trichopterans (8.3%). The diet of riverine Chinook was more closely associated with the composition of drift samples rather than bottom samples, suggesting mid-water feeding. In Lake Ontario terrestrial invertebrates were more important in the diet of hatchery Chinook (49.0%) than wild salmon (30.5%) and diet overlap between hatchery and wild salmon was low (0.46%). The diet of both hatchery and wild Chinook salmon was more closely associated with the composition of mid-water invertebrate samples rather than benthic core samples, indicating mid-water and surface feeding. Hatchery Chinook salmon consumed significantly less food (P < 0.05) than wild Chinook salmon in the lake and in the river, and wild salmon from Lake Ontario consumed more food than wild salmon in the Salmon River. Peak feeding of wild Chinook salmon occurred between 1200–1600 hours in Lake Ontario and between 1600–2000 hours in the Salmon River; there was no discernable feeding peak for the hatchery Chinook in Lake Ontario. Hatchery Chinook salmon also had the least diverse diet over the 24-hour sample period. These results suggest that at 7 days post-stocking hatchery Chinook salmon had not yet fully adapted to their new environment.     

A Semi-Lagrangian Study of Circulation and Transport in Lake Ontario

A particle tracking model (PTM) is linked with a hydrodynamic model to evaluate mean seasonal circulation patterns in Lake Ontario, and also to provide a basis for predicting movement of algal blooms. The PTM is based on a random walk algorithm that combines a deterministic advective component with a stochastic component associated with the turbulent diffusivity field to calculate trajectories of neutrally buoyant particles, where both the advective and diffusive velocities are obtained from the hydrodynamic model. Mean circulation is calculated using 30-year average meteorological forcing data collected from five stations around the lake. Seasonal variations in lake circulation are demonstrated, and a clockwise flow in the eastern basin during summer and early fall is identified, contrary to some previous observations that suggest counterclockwise flow. The impacts of Niagara and St. Lawrence river flows on general lake circulation are found to be small, except within approximately 10 km of the river mouth. Development and application of the PTM demonstrate its potential to provide calculations of (Lagrangian) movements as determined from the hydrodynamic output, and to serve as a first step toward development of an algal transport model. Particle tracking helps to visualize flow patterns and provides a means of evaluating the probability a bloom will reach a specified area, given an initial position and the predicted velocity and diffusivity fields. This capability, when set up for real-time applications, can provide an important tool to support management decisions that may be needed when a bloom is observed, for example in predicting potential impacts of the bloom on a beach or a water intake.     

固相萃取-高效液相色谱法测定水中的酚类化合物

详细介绍了水中酚类化合物的测定方法。在固相萃取工作站上建立的酚类预处理方法稳定性好,筛选出的三种弱极性萃取小柱,回收率较高。采用流动相梯度淋洗,紫外检测器波长编程的方法测定富集后的酚类化合物,并测定了方法的精密度、准确度和检测限。     

Development of a spatially resolved linked hydrodynamic and exposure model (LOTOX2) for PCBs in Lake Ontario

A linked hydrodynamic–hydrophobic organic chemical mass balance and food chain bioaccumulation model, LOTOX2, was developed to support the Lake Ontario Lakewide Management Plan (LaMP) for establishing contaminant load reduction strategies. This paper describes the development of LOTOX2, including the linkage with a relatively finer-scale hydrodynamic model (the Princeton Ocean Model, POM). An important component of this development was the reconstruction of PCB loading history (1930–2005), which was used to understand historic trends and to conduct model calibration/confirmation for total PCBs (tPCBs) in the lake water, sediments, and adult lake trout using data for the last 25 years. A separate mass balance was conducted for the radioisotope cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs) in order to develop a sorbent mass balance model for the system. Following calibration and confirmation, a diagnostic application of the model showed that the lake is not yet at steady-state with current loads. It will take more than 50 years for tPCB concentration in lake trout to decrease to a steady-state value of about 0.4 ppm if year 2005 loads remain constant. If all external loads were instantaneously eliminated in 2005, it would take approximately 40 years for the adult lake trout tPCB concentration to reach 0.05 ppm (the uniform Great Lakes protocol value for unrestricted consumption) from its current level of 0.74 ppm.     

Characterizations of the light-scattering attributes of mineral particles in Lake Ontario and the effects of whiting

Light-scattering attributes of minerogenic particles from the upper waters of Lake Ontario, collected lake-wide from pelagic waters in late 2007 summer and early 2008 spring cruises and over the summer interval at a near-shore site in 2008, were characterized by scanning electron microscopy interfaced with automated image and X-ray analyses (SAX). SAX results were used to estimate minerogenic scattering and backscattering coefficients (b_m and b_b,m) through Mie theory. Two minerogenic particle regimes with respect to light scattering were resolved: (1) clay mineral dominance and (2) dominance by ‘whiting’ (CaCO₃ precipitate) in late summer in portions of the lake. Clay minerals made noteworthy and important contributions to overall particulate scattering and backscattering coefficients (b_p and b_bp, respectively) in spring and early summer. Dramatic increases in values of b_p, and particularly b_bp, as well as decreases in Secchi disk depth (SD), were observed during whiting from the associated large increases in b_m and b_b,m. Features of these events were the primary drivers of the spatial patterns in late summer and temporal differences observed for scattering and SD. Particles in the size range of 1-10 μm were responsible for minerogenic scattering during stratification, but those with sizes > 10 μm made noteworthy contributions at certain sites during spring turnover. The credibility of the SAX-Mie estimates of b_m and b_b,m was supported by the extent of optical closure obtained with paired bulk measurements of overall b_p and b_bp (2007 summer cruise), and independent estimates of organic particulate scattering and backscattering through empirical bio-optical models.     

Oxygen use by nitrification in the hypolimnion and sediments of Lake Erie

Nitrification is an oxygen consumptive process, consuming 2 mol of oxygen per mol of ammonium oxidized. Hypolimnion and sediment samples were collected during the summers of 2008–2010 in Lake Erie to determine the total oxygen consumption and oxygen consumption from nitrification by blocking nitrification with selective inhibitors. Oxygen consumption by nitrification in the hypolimnion was 3.7 ± 2.9 (mean ± 1 SD) μmol O₂/L/d, with nitrification accounting for 32.6 ± 22.1% of the total oxygen consumption. Nitrification in the hypolimnion contributed more to oxygen consumption in the eastern sites than western sites and was lowest in September. The nitrification rate did not correlate with environmental factors such as oxygen, nitrate or ammonium, or nitrifier numbers. Oxygen consumption by nitrification in sediment slurries was 7.1 ± 5.8 μmol O₂/g/d, with nitrification accounting for 27.0 ± 19.2% of the total oxygen consumption with the lowest rates in July and the lowest percentages in June. Oxygen consumption by nitrification in intact sediment cores was 682 ± 61.1 μmol O₂/m/d with nitrification accounting for 30.4 ± 10.7% of the total oxygen consumption. Nitrification rates in intact cores were generally highest in September. The proportion of oxygen consumed by nitrification corresponds closely with what would be predicted from complete oxidation of a Redfield molecule (23%). While nitrification is unlikely to be the dominant oxygen consumptive process, the rates observed in Lake Erie were sufficient to theoretically deplete a large portion of the hypolimnetic oxygen pool during the stratified period.     

Distribution and carbon isotope composition of lipid biomarkers in Lake Erhai and Lake Gahai sediments on the Tibetan Plateau

Lipid biomarkers and carbon isotopes of n-alkanes, n-fatty acids, and n-alkan-2-ones were used to determine organic carbon sources to surface sediments in lakes Erhai and Gahai on the Tibetan Plateau. All sediment samples contained n-fatty acids with lower concentrations of n-alkanes and n-alkan-2-ones. Long chain n-alkanes in lake sediments were characteristic of a source mixture of epicuticular waxes of higher plants and submerged littoral zone plants while n-fatty acids sources were bacteria and floating and/or submergent macrophytes; the n-alkan-2-ones had a possible source in epicuticular waxes of higher plants and/or grass from catchment which entered the lake and were reworked by the microorganisms. Sediment samples examined from Lake Erhai had heavier δ¹³C values of bulk organic carbon and specific carbon compounds than samples from Lake Gahai and meadow soil. This heavier isotopic composition can be best interpreted by the enhanced productivity occurring in Lake Erhai due to its lower salinity and possibly to limited CO₂ concentrations; for the latter, this may have enriched ¹³C in the dissolved inorganic carbon pool of the lake water.     

Contrasting sources and mobility of trace metals in recent sediments of western Lake Erie

Concentrations of the major and trace metals varied considerably in the western basin of Lake Erie, ranging from 0.9 to 25.3?mg/g for aluminum, from 2.9 to 36.5?mg/g for iron, from 6.4 to 74.8?mg/g for calcium, from 1.2 to 13.5?μg/g for cobalt, from 2.8 to 61.6?μg/g for copper, from 2.7 to 83.0?μg/g for lead, from 0.1 to 2.9?μg/g for cadmium, and from 7.1 to 127.3?μg/g for strontium. Distinct patterns of sediment metal variability allowed the identification of two major fluvial sources and some active in-lake biogeochemical processes. The inputs of Sr were largely from the Maumee River, the inputs of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Co were dominated by the Detroit River, and the inputs of Fe and Al were roughly evenly from the two rivers. The removal of Sr and Ca from the water column was mainly through coprecipitation with calcite. In contrast, the transfer of Cu, Pb, Cd, and Co was largely attributed to the removal of fine sediment particles from the Detroit River mouth and adjacent nearshore areas and the deposition of the metals scavenged by settling organic materials in the basin's central deeper areas. The mobility of the trace metals was different during the in-lake mass transfer, with Co being the most mobile and Cd being the least mobile. Furthermore, the trace metal mobility differences have decreased significantly during the past half-century due to a substantial increase in organic matter from eutrophication in the basin.     

The effects of cool and variable temperatures on the hatch date,growth and overwinter mortality of a warmwater fish in small coastal embayments of Lake Ontario

Little is known about the ecology of warmwater fish in small coastal embayments (< 32 ha) where temperatures are lowered by exchange with the adjacent lake. Using pumpkinseed (Lepomis gibbous) as a model warmwater fish, we compare hatch dates and overwinter survival in two embayments with higher and lower amounts of cold-water input from Lake Ontario, in a warmer and cooler year. In 2007, the embayments differed by approximately 2–5 °C until late-July. In that year, temperatures in the cooler embayment delayed hatching times until July 18–August 20, approximately eight weeks later (May 24–August 20) than in the warmer embayment. Almost all offspring in the cooler embayment were likely too small to survive the winter. In 2008 both embayments had similar temperatures. In that year, pumpkinseed started hatching in early-June, and most were likely large enough to survive the winter. The findings from the two intensively sampled embayments were confirmed with a 21-year fish monitoring dataset; adult pumpkinseed were captured in the littoral zone of warm embayments 6–8 weeks earlier than in cooler embayments. Relative to pumpkinseed in the small inland lakes of eastern and central Ontario, spawning is delayed by at least two weeks in coastal embayments. Using water temperatures as a surrogate for growth, we calculated that only 5 of the 17 embayments for which we have temperature records were able to consistently produce successfully overwintering age-0 fish. Nevertheless, we found pumpkinseed age ≥ 1 in embayments too cold to produce age-0 pumpkinseed, suggesting immigration from warmer embayments.     

Ecology and timing of black bass spawning in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River: Potential interactions with the angling season

The timing of spawning for largemouth bass and smallmouth bass in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River was examined over a 3-year period. Temperatures were warmer in the preferred spawning habitat of largemouth bass, and the majority of nests had offspring that had reached the swim-up stage at the opening of the bass angling season in 2 of the 3 years examined. In contrast, the proportion of smallmouth bass nests that had reached the swim-up stage when the bass angling season opened ranged from 4 to 13% during these years. Using models created from nest observations and temperature data, we provide estimates of the additional time required to allow higher percentages (20%, 50% and 80%) of smallmouth bass nests to reach the swim-up stage. Invasive round goby, which are an important nest predator, were more abundant in the spawning habitat preferred by smallmouth bass. A simulated angling experiment showed that round gobies invaded about half of the nests when the guarding male was briefly angled and released. In view of these results, it may be important to re-evaluate the dates for the closed season in order to maintain the quality of the bass fisheries in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River.     

Assessment of element distribution and heavy metal contamination in Chilika Lake sediments (India)

Chilika Lake is situated on the Indian east coast. It is one of the largest lagoons in the world, with a unique assemblage of marine, brackish water and freshwater species. Due to the opening of new connections to the sea in the years 2000 and 2008, an environmental change is expected in the lagoon. The study gives an assessment of sediment contamination by heavy metals on the verge of this change (sampling campaign in 2000). Sediment samples from two surface levels (0–5 and 30–35 cm), and from depth profiles, were analysed for mineralogical composition, main and trace element concentrations, and element bonding forms. Background concentrations from a depth profile were also examined. The profile spans a time of ≈13 500 years. Age determinations by radiocarbon dating and the ¹³⁷Cs- and ²¹⁰Pb-method were carried out. The composition of the surface sediments is generally uniform. The heavy metals exhibit slightly decreasing concentrations from NE to SW, thus indicating the supply of contaminants from the Mahanadi River. The anthropogenic portion of the heavy metal supply is mainly bound to Fe-oxide-hydroxides. Phosphorus is enriched in the sediments of the southern lake sector. Changes in element concentrations in the last 13 500 years have occurred mainly in two steps. The long-term variations exceed the anthropogenic changes caused by the Mahanadi River inputs. The very sensitive response of coastal area fabrics on climate changes also causes fast geogenic changes in element concentrations in sediments (similar grain sizes). This prevents the use of element concentrations from deep sediment horizons to define contaminations in those areas.     

Use of otolith chemistry to discriminate juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) from different wild populations and hatcheries in Lake Huron

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) in Lake Huron consist of wild and hatchery-reared fish distributed among several populations. This study tested whether otolith chemistry can be used to identify the natal origin of Chinook salmon in this system. Concentrations of nine elements (Mg, K, Mn, Fe, Zn, Rb, Sr, Ba, and Pb) in the otoliths of Chinook salmon juveniles from 24 collection sites (17 streams and 7 hatcheries) around Lake Huron were analyzed using laser-ablation inductively-coupled mass spectrometry. Differences in otolith chemistry were found between rearing environments (wild and hatchery), among geological regions (Precambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous), and among collection sites. Discriminant function analysis showed high classification accuracies of juveniles to their rearing environment (wild versus hatchery, 82%), geological region (84%), and collection site (87%) of origin. With these values, there is excellent potential for otolith chemistry to be used to predict the natal origin of adults, and thus inform research and management of Chinook salmon in Lake Huron.     

骆马湖水环境变化趋势及对策研究

随着经济发展、城市化率的提高，加之滨湖开发，骆马湖的水质呈现一定的恶化趋势，生态系统遭受破坏，水体富营养化发展有越来越严重的趋势。通过对骆马湖营养化程度和污染原因的分析，提出了一些对策措施和解决办法，以期实现湖泊的生态、环境与经济的协调发展。