Algal Bloom and Microbial Ecology

Harmful algal blooms and microbial pathogens, such as E. coli., can have dramatic impacts on both ecosystems and the services ecosystems provide to Great Lakes coastal communities. Yet environmental managers have been frustrated by incomplete understanding of the biological and physical processes driving these microscopic phenomena. The GLSC conducts research to decipher algal bloom and microbial ecology and to describe the causes at multiple scales. Scientists attempt to clarify key leverage points for regional managers to effect change.