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Influence of rivers on phosphorus delivery to the western basin of Lake Erie

Influence of rivers on phosphorus delivery to the western basin of Lake Erie

Agricultural stream

Overview

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the western basin of Lake Erie have been shown to be fueled by phosphorus loading from the Maumee River and its agriculturally dominated watershed. We are also beginning to understand the impacts of various agricultural land use practices on phosphorus exports from field to stream. However, little is known about the role of the tributaries of the Maumee Basin in mitigating or contributing phosphorus to the Maumee River and eventually the western basin of Lake Erie. Stream ecosystems cycle phosphorus through various biotic and abiotic means, making understanding these instream processes and their overall role in phosphorus loading a key step in explaining and preventing HABs.

 

  1. Quantify spatial and temporal patterns of instream phosphorus sources and sinks in the Maumee watershed
  2. Estimate the impact of the Maumee River’s tributaries on phosphorus delivery to the western basin of Lake Erie
  3. Simulate conservation scenarios in a watershed model with improved instream processing
Concept diagram

Tracking Lake Erie's harmful algal blooms upstream, The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences College News. June 23, 2020.

Collaborators

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Jim Hood, Assistant Professor

Margaret Kalcic, Assistant Professor

Devan Mathie, PhD Student

Audrey Sawyer, Associate Professor

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Laura Johnson, Assistant Professor

Nathan Manning, Research Assistant

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Christopher Spiese, Associate Professor

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Lynn Bartsch, Research Fisheries Biologist

Rebecca Kreiling, Research Ecologist

James Larson, Research Fisheries Biologist

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Jeff Arnold, Agricultural Engineer

Kevin King, Research Leader and Agricultural Engineer 

Funding Source

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Ohio Department of Higher Education, Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI)


Investigators

Jim Hood, Associate Professor
Devan Mathie, PhD Candidate