Article
Environmental Sciences
Jovana Radosavljevic, Stephanie Slowinski, Mahyar Shafii, Zahra Akbarzadeh, Fereidoun Rezanezhad, Chris T. Parsons, William Withers, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Lake Wilcox, located in southern Ontario, has experienced water quality deterioration due to urbanization and increased salinization associated with expanding impervious land cover. Water column stratification, phosphorus speciation, and algal abundance were identified as the main factors contributing to the changes in water chemistry. It is suggested that stricter controls on de-icing salt application and runoff should be considered to manage eutrophication symptoms in lakes of cold climate regions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Studies
Katherine Shirriff, Krishna K. C. Bahadur, Aaron Berg
Summary: This study investigates the likelihood of agricultural productions located on erosive soils to adopt cover crops and finds that cover crop adoption is relatively low in these areas.
Article
Engineering, Civil
Yuan Hui, Zhenduo Zhu, Joseph F. Atkinson, Angshuman M. Saharia
Summary: This study focused on the issue of nuisance growth of the alga Cladophora in Rochester Embayment in Lake Ontario, and found that the timing of high TP loading plays a crucial role in Cladophora growth. The study suggests that future Cladophora control measures should take into consideration not only the total annual TP loading mass, but also the temporal loading patterns.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Geography, Physical
R. M. Doyle, N. Bumstead, C. F. M. Lewis, F. J. Longstaffe
Summary: This study reconstructs a 14,000-year history of paleoenvironmental change in Lake Simcoe, Ontario, using proxy data from ostracod valves in lake sediments. The research reveals that the delivery of meltwater from Lake Algonquin to Lake Simcoe began to slow around 12,050 years ago. It also suggests the occurrence of an isolated pulse of 16O-rich water from Early Lake Mattawa between 10,699 and 10,591 years ago. Furthermore, a pronounced transition from cold and dry to wet and warm conditions is observed around 8,200 years ago.
QUATERNARY SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rebecca Snider, April L. James, Huaxia Yao, Andrew M. Paterson, Dan Walters, Eric Mattson
Summary: The anthropogenic sources of phosphorus and chloride in lakes and rivers have been a long-standing concern in the Great Lakes Basin. This study focuses on the Sturgeon River - Lake Nipissing - French River basin and presents the first chloride and total phosphorus elemental budgets for Lake Nipissing. The findings indicate that despite a decrease in total phosphorus concentrations in major inflows, certain inflows, including those from agricultural areas, continue to exceed provincial objectives. Some inflows also show high average chloride concentrations attributed to road salt and agricultural activities. The study emphasizes the importance of community-based, spatially distributed water quality surveys for long-term ecosystem monitoring and planning.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Nolan J. T. - Pearce, James H. Larson, Mary Anne Evans, Paul C. Frost, Marguerite A. Xenopoulos
Summary: The study shows that rivermouths can effectively process nutrients bound for downstream ecosystems and respond to episodic nutrient enrichment. Light incubations exhibit higher nutrient uptake rates, with nutrient enrichment leading to increased uptake of total dissolved P and total dissolved N, as well as increased DOC release.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chunhui Yang, Jiying Li, Hongbin Yin
Summary: Sediment phosphorus release plays a crucial role in controlling eutrophication in Lake Chaohu, with higher release rates in the west region compared to the east. Long-term release is dominated by the remobilization of iron-bound phosphorus, while short-term release is mainly from legacy phosphorus in surface sediments.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamara L. Van Staden, Kim J. Van Meter, Nandita B. Basu, Chris T. Parsons, Zahra Akbarzadeh, Philippe Van Cappellen
Summary: Management strategies to reduce nutrient enrichment of surface waters may face challenges due to accumulated nutrient legacies in the landscape. A study in Ontario, Canada applied the Net Anthropogenic Phosphorus Input (NAPI) model to reconstruct historical phosphorus input and found that despite a general downward trend, Lake Erie continues to suffer from algal blooms. Comparison with river monitoring data revealed that only 12.5% of the phosphorus discharged by Canadian rivers into Lake Erie came from agricultural areas, indicating that over 85% of agricultural phosphorus is retained in watersheds, contributing to a long-term risk for lake recovery. To mitigate this risk, the study proposes a methodology to identify source areas with the highest potential of exporting legacy soil phosphorus to surface waters for prioritized soil conservation efforts.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Computer Science, Interdisciplinary Applications
James N. Carleton, Sylvia S. Lee
Summary: Internal feedback of nutrients may hinder the improvement of lake water quality. A parsimonious and mechanistic framework is proposed to model the lag times of phosphorus-enriched lakes' recovery. The approach considers phosphorus storage in benthic sediments and assumes first-order kinetics in a two-compartment system. Bayesian parameter modeling and sediment phosphorus release rates are used to estimate key parameters. Mean lag times to 50% and 75% declines in water column phosphorus concentration are estimated to be 13.1 and 39.0 years respectively across over 70,000 lentic water bodies in the continental United States.
ENVIRONMENTAL MODELLING & SOFTWARE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Y. T. Wang, T. Q. Zhang, Y. C. Zhao, J. J. H. Ciborowski, Y. M. Zhao, I. P. O'Halloran, Z. M. Qi, C. S. Tan
Summary: Research shows that sedimentary phosphorus in Lake Erie contributes to internal loading differently in different basins. The central basin potentially contributes significantly to internal phosphorus loading, while sediment in the western basin seems unlikely to have an impact on internal phosphorus loading.
Article
Environmental Sciences
I. F. Pendea, N. Kanavillil, S. Kurissery, G. L. Chmura
Summary: We examined soil properties and accumulation rates in wetlands in southern Canada and found significant differences between different types of wetlands. The high organic carbon accumulation rates in these wetlands make them important natural solutions for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Economics
Hanna Maoh, Terence Dimatulac, Shakil Khan, Marek Litwin
Summary: This study explores truck movements across four major border crossings in Ontario, Canada using GPS data. The results show that the route choice decisions of trucks are influenced by observed crossing time and geographic locations. Long-haul trips tend to favor the Ambassador Bridge crossing that connects Windsor, Ontario to Detroit, Michigan.
JOURNAL OF TRANSPORT GEOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. A. T. Wilkins, K. M. Ruhland, A. M. Paterson, J. P. Smol
Summary: Cache Lake, located in Ontario, Canada, was subjected to a fertilizer experiment in 1946 and 1947, which had long-term effects on the lake's diatom communities. Despite returning to its original oligotrophic state, the lake's diatom composition never fully recovered from the experiment.
JOURNAL OF PALEOLIMNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
David R. Zilkey, Katrina A. Moser
Summary: The study investigated the epiphytic diatom community composition of three submerged macrophyte species in Chandos Lake, Canada and found significant differences among different species. These findings provide a basis for using paleolimnological methods to infer historical macrophyte community composition.
JOURNAL OF PHYCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Limnology
Jorrit P. Mesman, Ana Ayala, Stephane Goyette, Jerome Kasparian, Rafael Marce, Hampus Markensten, Julio A. A. Stelzer, Michael W. Thayne, Mridul K. Thomas, Don C. Pierson, Bas W. Ibelings
Summary: This research found that extreme wind events can affect the concentration of phytoplankton in lakes by altering physical and chemical conditions in the water. The specific mechanisms behind these effects are still not well understood. The depth of the mixed layer, incoming shortwave radiation, hypolimnetic nutrient concentration, and surface water temperatures all play a role in determining how wind events will impact phytoplankton concentration.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Ammar Alibrahim, Maria Dittrich
Summary: Recent laboratory experiments have shown that microbes have the potential to solve the mystery of ancient dolomite formation. However, the characteristics of laboratory-grown dolomite crystals do not match those of ancient dolomite, making it difficult to support this hypothesis from a mineralogical and petrological perspective. The involvement of microbes in the formation of ancient dolomite is implied, but their ability to mediate dolomite diagenesis has not been investigated.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexey Neumann, E. Agnes Blukacz-Richards, Ratnajit Saha, Carlos Alberto Arnillas, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: This study examines the ability of a SPARROW-based model to assess regional P export coefficients for nutrient mitigation and watershed management. Multi-agency water quality data were collected to overcome limitations in monitoring stations. A Bayesian hierarchical framework was used to estimate nutrient loading during different flow regimes. Agriculture and urban runoff were identified as major non-point sources, with different contributions during dry and wet years. The study highlights the importance of mitigating urban non-point sources and controlling agricultural runoff.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Ali Saber, Vincent Y. S. Cheng, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: Understanding the drivers of water level variability in large water bodies is crucial for developing proactive mitigation plans. By analyzing the influence of climate oscillations on Lake Huron-Michigan's water budget, it was found that these oscillations had a stronger impact on water levels after 1980. Furthermore, after removing atmospheric effects, changes were observed in runoff and river flow rates, indicating the effects of human activities on the regional water cycle.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Felicity J. Ni, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: Mercury (Hg) sequestration by phytoplankton and subsequent consumption by herbivorous zooplankton can mediate the transfer of mercury to higher trophic levels. This study introduces two prey species to a predator-prey system to investigate the effects of different prey items on zooplankton assemblages. The results show that the nutritional quality of prey is a major driver of predator-prey relationships, with higher nutritional quality leading to prey-dominated food webs. The study also suggests that the homeostatic rigidity of the predator can help cope with toxic exposure.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuko Shimoda, Haibin Cai, Yasasi Fernando, Akunne Okoli, Zhuowei Xu, Marten Koops, Timothy B. Johnson, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: Food web theory predicts that oligotrophication can lead to a decline in fisheries, but emerging evidence suggests that more complex trophic interactions can lead to ecosystem responses that deviate from theoretical predictions, especially in shallow littoral zones. Two end-to-end modelling strategies were used in this study to characterize potential food web structural shifts and overall ecosystem productivity in response to oligotrophication. The analysis suggests that reduction in phosphorus levels may not necessarily trigger a significant decline in fish biomass in the studied bay.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carlos Alberto Arnillas, Roya Abedi, Camilla Parzanini, Ursula Strandberg, Michael T. Arts, Satyendra P. Bhavsar, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: We investigated the relationship between biochemical and morphometric traits in sixteen fish species from the Canadian waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes. The study focused on the correlations between fish length, condition factor, lipid content, and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) composition in the dorsal muscle tissue. Linear relationships were found to be better representations of the correlations. Interspecific and among lakes differences accounted for most of the variability in fatty acid composition.
JOURNAL OF GREAT LAKES RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biology
A. O. Achieng, G. B. Arhonditsis, N. Mandrak, C. Febria, B. Opaa, T. J. Coffey, F. O. Masese, K. Irvine, Z. M. Ajode, K. Obiero, J. E. Barasa, B. Kaunda-Arara
Summary: Africa is facing extensive biodiversity loss due to environmental changes, lack of data and resources, as well as insufficient capacity to implement conservation measures. The lack of harmonized indicators and databases further hinders effective policies and monitoring. The article emphasizes the importance of establishing monitoring programs to inform evidence-based decisions for ecosystem conservation and restoration in Africa.
PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Amanda L. L. Loder, Sophia A. A. Zamaria, George B. B. Arhonditsis, Sarah A. A. Finkelstein
Summary: Freshwater marsh restoration is a potential natural climate solution, but the preservation of organic carbon in marsh soils over policy-relevant timescales is uncertain. Comparative analysis of undrained reference marsh, passively restored marsh, and actively restored marshes in Canada showed that the reference site had the highest organic carbon accumulation and mass, while restored wetlands had variable organic carbon masses. Passive restoration generated high rates of organic carbon accumulation in low-lying sites with appropriate substrate and hydrology. Active restoration measures may promote organic carbon preservation, especially in fine-grained soil. The selection of restoration sites should consider substrate, topographic gradient, and hydrology for maximizing carbon sequestration.
RESTORATION ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ursula Strandberg, George Arhonditsis, Petri Kesti, Jussi Vesterinen, Jussi S. Vesamaeki, Sami J. Taipale, Paula Kankaala
Summary: Shallow littoral areas in lakes are important habitats for diverse invertebrate and vertebrate species, and their abundance, diversity, and nutritional quality are influenced by various environmental factors. Lake typology, habitat, water chemistry, and latitude all play a significant role in determining the taxon richness, abundance, and content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in littoral macroinvertebrate communities. Understanding these relationships is crucial for maintaining the ecological balance and functioning of lakes.
Article
Astronomy & Astrophysics
Zach Diloreto, Mirza Shaharyar Ahmad, Hamad Al Saad Al-Kuwari, Fadhil Sadooni, Tomaso R. R. Bontognali, Maria Dittrich
Summary: The identification of gypsum on the surface of Mars presents a promising target for searching for signs of past microbial life, as gypsum is known to form in the presence of liquid water and has low porosity ideal for preserving organic material. This study in Qatar focused on organic matter preservation within gypsum, using DNA analysis and Raman spectroscopy to characterize extremophilic microorganisms and evaluate which organic molecules can be detected through translucent gypsum crystals. The results showed that organic material can be encapsulated in evaporitic gypsum and detected through Raman microscopy, providing valuable insights for detecting similar signals on Mars.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
David Aceituno-Caicedo, Asia Shvarzman, Semion Zhutovsky, Maria Dittrich
Summary: The addition of photoautotrophic bacteria to mortar significantly improves its strength and permeability properties compared to sporulated heterotrophic modifications. This study supports the use of photoautotrophic species as additives in mortars to move away from ammonia-generating species.
BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL
(2023)
Editorial Material
Ecology
Falk Huettmann, George Arhonditsis
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Haibin Cai, Yuko Shimoda, Jingqiao Mao, George B. Arhonditsis
Summary: With the development of computational power, complex mathematical models have been developed to explicitly represent the functional diversity of biotic communities and multiple biogeochemical cycles. In this study, a novel multi-pronged sensitivity analysis (SA) framework was proposed, integrating advanced statistical and machine learning techniques. The framework was applied to examine competition patterns and structural shifts among multiple functional phytoplankton and zooplankton groups in a complex aquatic biogeochemical model. The results showed the influential parameters for recreating plankton community dynamics during different seasons, and discussed the importance of ML-based SA framework in understanding parametric interactions in complex mathematical models.
ECOLOGICAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Civil
M. Georgina Kaltenecker, Carl P. J. Mitchell, E. Todd Howell, George Arhonditsis
Summary: The shape and evolution of a concentration-discharge (C-Q) relationship can provide valuable insights into hydrological pathways, biogeochemical production and uptake, and the impact of catchment characteristics on export dynamics. This study uses statistical models to establish linkages between watershed attributes and water quality constituents in Ontario, Canada. The results reveal enriching behavior for several constituents, while others show source limitation or dilution patterns. The study highlights the interplay between anthropogenic stressors and biogeochemical processes, which is crucial for understanding nonpoint-source pollution.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Spectroscopy
Maria Dittrich, Carlos Paulo, Nicole Knabe, Heinz Sturm, Vladimir Zaitsev, Anna A. Gorbushina
Summary: This study investigated the spectroscopic and morphological features of pigments in black fungi. The Raman spectra allowed for discrimination between different pigments, providing insights into the interactions between natural fungal melanin and complex environmental matrices.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)