Using real-time, continuous, and high-frequency water quality data to develop early warning systems for water security in the Great Lakes

点击翻译按钮获取中文摘要

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are becoming more frequent and severe and are degrading Canada's lakes and rivers. HABs can produce chemicals that are toxic to humans, disrupting drinking water service, limiting recreational use of freshwater ecosystems, and compromising agriculture. These events can threaten the Canadian economy, which depends on clean, safe water. To better manage HABs outbreaks, Canada needs to 1) better understand the underlying factors that lead to outbreaks, 2) develop an early warning system that would help us predict and detect events early and quickly, and 3) create models that allow water utilities to ensure delivery of safe water to the public and agricultural industries. To accomplish these goals, we need a system that collects continuous real-time water quality data. We are proposing to use the Real-time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON) to deploy real-time buoys and autonomous underwater vehicles that will regularly collect real-time data on nutrients and physical, chemical, and biological criteria in the western basin of Lake Erie. These data will be used to develop early warning indicators and water security models. Land use data, nutrient experiments, hydrologic modeling of water currents, and manual water collections will also be used to provide a comprehensive assessment to expand understanding of HAB dynamics. Biogeochemists, limnologists, engineers, and industry managers will work together on this project and will take a whole-system approach to understand how processes in the lake affect water quality. They will use that knowledge to deliver safe water to users, including the public and industry. Three private partners -- Union Water Supply System, InnovaSea, and Pro-Oceanus -- will help facilitate rapid uptake of methods and models into the water quality community. Environment and Climate Change Canada will participate to support development of management and policy for freshwater ecosystems. In addition, this collaboration includes four universities -- Windsor, Trent, Queen's and Toronto -- and will train 10 students in environmental research and technology.