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Research by Programs Ecological Prediction Aquatic Invasive Species Physical Environment Prediction Environmental Observing Systems Research by Region Research by Subject Research by Researcher
GLERL research is organized into four research programs: Ecological Prediction, Aquatic Invasive Species, Physical Environmental Prediction, and Environmental Observing Systems
   
 

Featured GLERL Research

Multiples Stressors in Saginaw Bay Multiple Stressors in Saginaw Bay
In conjunction with several partner agencies and institutions, GLERL is conducting a study of the effects of multiple stressors on Saginaw Bay in Lake Huron. Saginaw Bay has been subjected to numerous stressors originating from human activities, including: toxic contaminants, excess nutrients, sediments, overfishing, exotic species, and declining water levels. The combined effect of these problems has compromised the health of Saginaw Bay and resulted in the loss of many ecosystem features and services that people value. The goal of this project is to help identify management actions that will improve water quality and fish production in the Bay and restore the ecosystem services that are important to the surrounding area.
Sinkhole Exploration of Submerged Sinkholes in Lake Huron
A study of sinkholes discovered in Thunder Bay, Lake Huron, is being conducted by GLERL and several partners for the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration. Following the last glacier maximum, Lake Huron’s limestone bedrock was exposed, causing karst sinkholes to be created. Subsequently covered with water, the sinkholes are seeping groundwater into the bottom of the lake, providing a unique habitat for aquatic life. Goals of the project include understanding the natural gradient of submerged sinkhole habitats (light, dissolved oxygen, nutrients, etc), examining microbial processes along the gradient, determining the age of the groundwater, and developing physical-chemical maps of the sinkholes.
Hemimysis Great Lakes Aquatic Nonindigenous Species Information System (GLANSIS)
The Great Lakes have a long history of aquatic nonindigenous species (ANS) introductions – both intentional and unintentional. As of 2007, over 180 nonindigenous species have been reported to have reproducing populations in the Great Lakes basin and their connecting channels and water bodies. The number of species documented in GLANSIS must be interpreted as a minimum.
Image of nowcast - waves Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS)
The Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS) is a system of computerized models that can simulate and predict the three-dimensional structure of currents, temperatures, water level fluctuations, wind waves, ice, and sediments in the Great Lakes. It provides timely and relevant information on physical processes to the many people whose lives, jobs, and property are impacted by the Great Lakes. Nowcasts and forecasts are generated continuously. Developed by GLERL and the Ohio State University and supported by the National Weather Service, operational implementation of this utility is accomplished by NOAA’s Coast Survey Development Laboratory and Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (see sidebar, GLOFS). These predictions provide timely information to lake carriers, mariners, port managers, emergency response teams and recreational boaters.
Image of Fish Fisheries Management Research
The Muskegon River has diverse aquatic habitats and fish assemblages that support valuable recreational fisheries in Lake Michigan. Climate change and land use patterns threaten to alter fish community composition and abundance in the Muskegon River and other Great Lakes tributaries, resulting in declines of cold water fishes and increases in basses, sunfish and pike. A modeling framework is needed to suggest land use and harvest policies that will protect existing and future fisheries. Habitat Suitability Models and individual-based bioenergetics models of key sport fishes will be used to forecast changes in fish habitat suitability and production in the Muskegon River watershed in response to land use and climate change.
Graph of Great Lakes ice thickness Great Lakes Ice Model
Knowledge of Great Lakes ice is important not only to winter navigation, recreation safety, and rescue efforts, but also for the prediction of lake circulation, water levels and environmental preconditioning for phytoplankton and zooplankton blooms.
Image of harmful algal bloom Harmful Algal Blooms and Human Health
Recent increases in cyanobacterial HABs in the Great Lakes has caused significant concern for human and ecosystem health due to the production of toxins by bloom species. In the Great Lakes, Microcystis dominates the cyanobacterial bloom community and produces the hepatotoxin microcystin. Studies have documented the presence of microcystins in the Great Lakes, at times exceeding the recommended limit of 1 µg L-1 of microcystin established by the World Health Organization for drinking water supplies. GLERL research, in conjunction with the Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, will directly address whether algal toxins could impact human health in the communities of the Lake Erie Islands and have broader implications for other communities using the Great Lakes as a drinking water source.
Image of Buoy Real-time Environmental Coastal Observations Network (RECON) Project
This project brings together a team of NOAA and Great Lakes institutes to construct experimental, integrated environmental observing systems. The integrated environmental observatory provide real-time observations of chemical, biological, and physical parameters.
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Meteorological Station Real-time Meteorological Observation Network
GLERL established and maintains a GLERL established and maintains a network of real-time meteorological stations at exposed coastal sites around southern Lake Michigan (Chicago, Milwaukee, Kenosha, South Haven and Michigan City). This data is used by boaters and fishermen and also provides input for wave and circulation models.
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  NOAA 5 year Research Plan (2008-2012)
*Link leads off GLERL's website
 

GLERL Research Centers

Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH)

National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species (NCRAIS)

Lake Michigan Field Station (LMFS)

Featured Data Products

Great Lakes Operational Forecast System (GLOFS)*
GLOFS is an automated model-based prediction system that provides forecasts of water levels, currents and temperatures in the 5 Great Lakes. Developed by GLERL and the Ohio State University, operational use of the model is managed by NOAA CO-OPS.

Next Generation Large Basin Runoff Model
A fast, accurate model of weekly or monthly runoff volumes (with daily internal computation interval) with relatively simple data requirements.
+ Downloads
A near real-time utility for studying watersheds and the material passing through them.
+ Resource Shed Maps

Water Levels
Great Lakes daily water level plots compared with last years levels; monthly minimum, maximum, and mean levels.

CoastWatch
GLERL is the regional node for the NOAA Coastwatch program, providing access to near real-time and retrospective satellite observations and in-situ Great Lakes data.

Information Sheets

GLERL creates 1-2 page descriptions of a number of our current research projects and results.
+ Complete list

Water Levels in the Great Lakes Information Sheet

Water Levels in the Great Lakes (.pdf)

20 Years of Zebra and Quagga Mussel Research (.pdf)

Photo Gallery

GLERL Fieldwork image

Fieldwork Photos of GLERL scientists at work in the field and in the laboratory showing sample collection techniques and sampling equipment.

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