Paleolimnological Evidence of Early Eutrophication in Lake Erie

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Abstract
Data obtained on diatom remains found in a core taken from the central Basin of Lake Erie have allowed the reinterpretation of the observed changes in the lake in the light of the existing literature, new data and some new ideas on the operation of planktonic ecosystems. Lake Erie has exhibited mesotrophic to eutrophic conditions, at least in parts, since approximately 1850, and the initial disturbance to the lake''s metabolism was the most important one. In common with other planktonic ecosystems, Lake Erie exhibits some long-term fluctuations which make the interpretation of long-term trends very difficult. Events in the basin over the last 50-60 yr must be viewed in the light of these long-term fluctuations and must be interpreted with care.