The Muskegon Lake Observatory: Analyzing Seasonal and Episodic Drivers of Phytoplankton Productivity Using High Resolution Time-Series Data

Phytoplankton growth in lakes is regulated by many physical, chemical, and biological drivers, external to and within the system. Advances in automated ecological sensor technologies enable the collection of environmental data, at spatial and temporal scales previously impossible thereby greatly enhancing understanding of complex ecosystem interactions. For this study a lake based observatory with weather and water quality sensors was used to examine seasonal and episodic drivers of phytoplankton productivity in Muskegon Lake over a two year period (2011-2012). Seasonal correlations between algal pigment concentrations and driving variables were calculated. Peak values of chlorophyll a were similar between years, while the peak concentration of phycocyanin was reduced by approximately 50% in 2012. Drought induced decreased nutrient loading and elevated summer wind speeds driving water column instability, contributed to conditions that were less favorable to growth of cyanobacteria