Recently, elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations were found related to persistent algal blooms on Silver Lake in Oceana County, MI. Elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations, high phosphorus concentrations during summer months, as well as a decrease in water clarity indicated potential accelerated eutrophication processes during the last two years, and underscore a need to characterize water and nutrient sources to Silver Lake. The objectives of the Silver Lake Nutrient study are to 1) Characterize the hydrologic inputs and outputs for Silver Lake to develop a water budget, and 2) Characterize potential nutrient sources for Silver Lake to develop a nutrient budget. This is a three year study, beginning in Fall 2012 through Fall 2015. Local water (Silver Lake, tributaries, contributing groundwater) will be sampled for nutrient content, and other potential nutrient sources including sediments and wet and dry atmospheric deposition will be monitored.
Recently, elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations were found related to persistent algal blooms on Silver Lake in Oceana County, MI. Elevated chlorophyll-a concentrations, high phosphorus concentrations during summer months, as well as a decrease in water clarity indicated potential accelerated eutrophication processes during the last two years, and underscore a need to characterize water and nutrient sources to Silver Lake. The objectives of the Silver Lake Nutrient study are to 1) Characterize the hydrologic inputs and outputs for Silver Lake to develop a water budget, and 2) Characterize potential nutrient sources for Silver Lake to develop a nutrient budget. This is a three year study, beginning in Fall 2012 through Fall 2015. Local water (Silver Lake, tributaries, contributing groundwater) will be sampled for nutrient content, and other potential nutrient sources including sediments and wet and dry atmospheric deposition will be monitored.