Spatial Heterogeneity of Nutrients and Organic Matter in Lake Ontario

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Abstract
During spring, Lake Ontario was vertically homogeneous except for the bottom 2 m where soluble reactive silica (SRS) and temperature (TEMP) were significantly (p < 0.05) elevated and dissolved oxygen was depleted. With stratification, soluble reactive phosphorus (SRP) and total filtered phosphorus, SRS, and nitrate-plus-nitrite were depleted in the epilimnion due to phytoplankton uptake. Total unfiltered phosphorus (TP) and ammonia (NH3) exhibited higher epilimnetic concentrations, the former being attributed to tributary inputs which were maintained throughout the stratified period, even though inputs from Niagara River served to dilute the epilimnion. Increased levels of TP, SRP, and SRS were also evident within the nepheloid layer. Horizontal distributions of TP and NH3 were governed by point-source inputs throughout the study period. Distributions of the soluble nutrients were governed by phytoplankton uptake in the spring, point/nonpoint inputs and upwelling in the summer, and differential breakdown of stratification in the fall. Spring distribution of particulate organic matter (POM) was strongly related to nutrient availability and water column stability, while phytoplankton species composition determined fall POM distribution. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) POM levels, detrital content, and productivity were observed nearshore of the thermal bar.