A status update on the eutrophication of Hamilton Harbour: Is recovery within reach?

Session: 04. - Restoring Hamilton Harbour: Tilting at Windmills or a Possible Dream?

David Depew, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]
Jacqui Milne, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]
Debbie Burniston, Environment and Climate Change Canada, [email protected]
Julie Vanden Byllaardt, Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan, [email protected]
Veronique Hiriart-Baer, Environment Canada, [email protected]
Murray Charlton, [email protected]

Abstract

Hamilton Harbour has a long and detailed history of eutrophication problems such as excessive algal blooms, poor water clarity, dominance of toxic cyanobacteria and low hypolimnetic dissolved oxygen conditions. Routine monitoring of physical, chemical and biological components of water quality has been undertaken since 1987 under the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan (HHRAP) with a goal toward eventual restoration of the ecosystem. Significant reductions in external phosphorus inputs during the late 1980s and early 1990s demonstrated considerable improvement in conditions over the early phases of the HHRAP; however, changes in monitored eutrophication parameters (i.e. total phosphorus, chlorophyll a, dissolved oxygen, Secchi disc depth) have been small or non-existent since. Here, we use the long-term eutrophication monitoring dataset in conjunction with ancillary datasets to explore possible reasons for the attenuated system response to further improvements with an aim toward identifying challenges on the path to eventual restoration. 

1. Keyword
eutrophication

2. Keyword
Hamilton Harbour

3. Keyword
phosphorus