Distribution of Grain Size and Sediment Nutrients in Lake Michigan Surface Sediments

Session: Poster session

Elizabeth Hinchey Malloy, U.S. EPA GLNPO, hinchey.elizabeth@epa.gov
Lyubov Burlakova, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State , burlakle@buffalostate.edu
Susan Daniel, Buffalo State College, Great Lakes Center, danielse@buffalostate.edu
Knut Mehler, Great Lakes Center at SUNY Buffalo State, mehlerk@buffalostate.edu
Margaret Corcoran, CSRA, Margaret.Corcoran@csra.com
Solidea Maria Cri Bonina, Young Professional/ Scientist , ing.sbonina@gmail.com

Abstract

Lakebed characteristics such as sediment grain size and sediment nutrients are important parameters that influence the distribution of benthic organisms. As part of the 2015 Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiative survey of the Lake Michigan benthic community, ponars were collected from 127 offshore benthic stations for complimentary analysis of sediment characteristics. Maps of surface sediment grain size, sediment organic carbon, sediment total nitrogen and sediment total phosphorus will be presented and the role of sediment composition drivers in the distribution of Dreissena r. bugensis and infaunal benthic communities will be explored.

1. Keyword
sediments

2. Keyword
Lake Michigan

3. Keyword
benthos

4. Additional Keyword
grain size