Many of our study lakes receive very little inflow from streams, which are generally a main source of nutrients for lakes. Instead, a major source of energy and nutrients come from photosynthesis between algae and the sun. One of the focuses of this program is to look at how gases are exchanged between the air and lakes and how much that exchange is influenced by activity within the lakes.
To better understand the role of algae in lake respiration, researchers at IISD-ELA installed equipment to monitor oxygen levels in the water as they are influenced by algae respiration. Results from this experiment will be used to help researchers determine how algal blooms in lakes affect water quality and fish populations.