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Home > Research
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| GLERL research is organized into four research programs: Ecological Prediction, Aquatic Invasive Species, Physical Environmental Prediction, and Environmental Observing Systems | |
Featured GLERL Research |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. + View Real-time Data |
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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. + View Real-time Data |
| NOAA 5 year Research Plan (2008-2012) | |
| *Link leads off GLERL's website | |
GLERL Research CentersCenter of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (CEGLHH) National Center for Research on Aquatic Invasive Species (NCRAIS) |
Featured Data ProductsGreat
Lakes Operational Forecast System (GLOFS)* Next Generation Large
Basin Runoff Model Water Levels CoastWatch Information SheetsGLERL creates 1-2 page descriptions of a number of our current research projects and results.+ Complete list
Water Levels in the Great Lakes (.pdf) 20 Years of Zebra and Quagga Mussel Research (.pdf) Photo Gallery
Fieldwork Photos of GLERL scientists at work in the field and in the laboratory showing sample collection techniques and sampling equipment. |
