Dr. Smol is a world-renowned expert on the environment and climate change having held the position of Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change for the maximum of three 7 year terms (2000-2021). Dr. Smol is an Officer of the Order of Canada and the current Editor of Environmental Reviews. “We study how lake ecosystems change over long time frames in response to multiple environmental stressors.”

Attached is a recently completed study by MSc student Kapillesh Balasubramaniam, a part of Dr Smol’s team at the Queen’s Biology Department. View the report here. The study flags accelerated regional climate warming as a potential contributor to the increase we are seeing in the algae blooms, particularly the dangerous form. The impact of climate change means that we all need to double down on our efforts to address environmental pollution and drive down key metrics below currently established limits.

As concerned citizens of the lake, here are some things in your control that you can do to help prevent further progression:

• Redouble your efforts to control phosphorous & nitrate pollution in all forms.

• No bathing, shampooing, or cleaning marine equipment in the lake.

• Make sure your septic system is working properly. Proactively seek a septic inspection.

• Add shoreline vegetation which can help intercept the movement of nutrients into the lake and decrease erosion.

On May 17, 2023 we hosted a webinar with Dr. John Smol on Algae and Aquatic Plant Growth in the Big Rideau Lake. You can view the recording of the webinar by using the link and passcode below:
https://tinyurl.com/kh4z67p4 Passcode: n!gsr.S3