Green Algal Palynomorphs as Proxies of Water Quality in the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Basin

Session: Poster session

Paul Michael Pilkington, Brock University, pp11ad@brocku.ca
Francine McCarthy, Brock University, fmccarthy@brocku.ca
Caitlin Garner, Brock University, cg09uy@brocku.ca
Gregor Hemon, McMaster University, hemong@mcmaster.ca
Andrea Krueger, Brock University, akrueger@brocku.ca
Olena Volik, University of Waterloo, volik.olena@gmail.com
Nicholas Riddick, Brock University, riddick.nicholas@gmail.com
Donya Danesh, Queens Univ., Dept. Biology, PEARL Lab, 11dd14@queensu.ca

Abstract

The fossilizable remains of cyanophytes and green algae (chorophytes and charophytes) have been shown to be useful proxies of water quality in lakes throughout the Great Lakes basin. In Lake Simcoe, for instance, desmids in slides processed for pollen analysis without harsh oxidants have been shown to be particularly sensitive to agricultural activity by aboriginal and European settlers.  These organic-walled microfossils also clearly distinguish greater anthropogenic impact in the southern basin of Lake George where most human settlement and tourist activity is concentrated, whereas the northern basin surrounded by “Forever Wild” lands in Adirondack Park are relatively rich in dinoflagellate cysts.  Upcore studies of algal palynomorph assemblages in a core from Tea Island, near the Village of Lake George, reveal changes associated with European settlement, marked by the increase in ragweed and other herbaceous pollen.  Pollen also reveals changes in climate that affected water quality.

1. Keyword
algae

2. Keyword
eutrophication

3. Keyword
paleolimnology