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About the Authors:
Timothy W. Davis
* E-mail: [email protected]
Current address: NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States of America
Affiliation: Canadian Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
Susan B. Watson
Affiliation: Canadian Centre for Inland Waters, Environment Canada, Burlington, ON, Canada
Mark J. Rozmarynowycz
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, United States of America
Jan J. H. Ciborowski
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Windsor, Windsor, Ontario, Canada
Robert Michael McKay
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, United States of America
George S. Bullerjahn
Affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, United States of America
Introduction
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CHABs) occur worldwide and their increasing prevalence has been associated with severe ecological and economic impacts across the marine-freshwater continuum [1]–[8]. Many CHAB genera include species and strains that can produce toxins and other bioactive compounds that present a risk to the health of humans and other animals [9]. CHAB genera, including Microcystis, Anabaena and Planktothrix are well known to have microcystin-producing strains [10] and all have been found in the Laurentian (North American) lower Great Lakes.
The Laurentian Great Lakes are a vital global resource, containing approximately 18% of Earth's available surface freshwater [11]. Over the past several decades these systems have been subjected to many anthropogenic pressures such as the introduction of non-native species (e.g., dreissenid mussels and round gobies) and eutrophication. Anthropogenic nutrient loading has contributed to the shift in phytoplankton community composition in the lower Great Lakes (Erie and Ontario). Accordingly, much of the research over the past two decades has focussed on elucidating the factors that control the dynamics of phytoplankton communities, primarily on CHABs, in these two lakes. Explanations have been postulated to include changes in bottom-up controls such as nutrient availability and light [12]–[17], physical factors like wind strength [18] and top-down controls including pelagic [19] and benthic grazing [20]–[21]. Furthermore, differences and dynamics among the genetic strains of cyanobacteria within blooms have also been investigated through field and laboratory experiments. [22]–[32].
Lake St. Clair lies between Lake Huron and Lake Erie (Fig. 1). It receives water from Lake Huron via...