This dataset contains lake-wide algal bloom indices (extent, intensity, and severity) of Lake of the Woods on a daily basis over the June through October monitoring season. These data are derived from satellite remote sensing algorithms using European Space Agency's (ESA's) MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor on the Envisat satellite (2002-2012) and ESA's Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) sensor on the Sentinel 3A and Sentinel 3B satellites (2016-present). Citation: Binding, C.E., Pizzolato, L., & Zeng, C. (2021). EOLakeWatch; delivering a comprehensive suite of remote sensing algal bloom indices for enhanced monitoring of Canadian eutrophic lakes. Ecological Indicators, 121, 106999. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106999

This dataset contains lake-wide algal bloom indices (extent, intensity, and severity) of Lake Winnipeg on a daily basis over the June through October monitoring season. These data are derived from satellite remote sensing algorithms using European Space Agency's (ESA's) MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor on the Envisat satellite (2002-2012) and ESA's Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) sensor on the Sentinel 3A and Sentinel 3B satellites (2016-present). Citation: Binding, C.E., Pizzolato, L., & Zeng, C. (2021). EOLakeWatch; delivering a comprehensive suite of remote sensing algal bloom indices for enhanced monitoring of Canadian eutrophic lakes. Ecological Indicators, 121, 106999. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106999

Lake Ontario is the primary source of drinking water for millions of people. Undesirable taste and odour events may occur in late summer as a result of the release of two volatile organic compounds geosmin (trans-1,10-dimethyl-trans-9-decalol) and 2-Methylisoborneol(1,6,7,7-tetramethylbicyclo[2.2.1]heptan-6-ol) (MIB). These secondary metabolites are produced by actinomycetes and cyanobacteria and yield a musty or earthy taste and odour. These compounds can be detected at very low concentrations (~4 ng/L). Here we present Geosmin, MIB, nutrients and physical data collected between 1999 and 2010 to characterize taste and odour events in Lake Ontario. Spatial surveys of Lake Ontario consisting of approximately 60 stations were conducted yearly in late August and weekly surveys were conducted July to September near the Lorne Park drinking water Intake and Lakeview Park near Toronto, Ontario. Bay of Quinte surveys were conducted August to October 2004 to 2010.

This dataset contains lake-wide algal bloom indices (extent, intensity, and severity) of Lake Erie on a daily basis over the June through October monitoring season. These data are derived from satellite remote sensing algorithms using European Space Agency's (ESA's) MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor on the Envisat satellite (2002-2012) and ESA's Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) sensor on the Sentinel 3A and Sentinel 3B satellites (2016-present). Citation: Binding, C.E., Pizzolato, L., & Zeng, C. (2021). EOLakeWatch; delivering a comprehensive suite of remote sensing algal bloom indices for enhanced monitoring of Canadian eutrophic lakes. Ecological Indicators, 121, 106999. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106999

Water temperature data were collected by Environment and Climate Change Canada at selected locations in Lake Winnipeg.Thermograph moorings were deployed in the north basin at station 505 and 506, in the south basin at station 500, in the Lake Winnipeg Narrows at station 502, northwest of Berens Island at station 503 and north of Reindeer Island at station 504. This data was used in the hydrodynamic Estuary, Lake and Coastal Model (ELCOM) to predict water movement patterns and then coupled with the Computational Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics Model (CAEDYM) to predict response to potential nutrient loading reduction actions to improve water quality in Lake Winnipeg.

Azo dyes are synthetic compounds used as industrial colorants, and some are predicted to be inherently toxic, bioaccumulative, and/or persistent based upon their chemical composition. This study addressed data gaps in current research which included the need to evaluate the toxicity of hydrophobic azo dyes to benthic invertebrates. The toxicity of a solvent dye, Sudan Red G (SRG), and two disperse dyes, Disperse Yellow 7 (DY7) and Disperse Orange 13 (DO13), to Hexagenia spp. and Tubifex tubifex was assessed in spiked-sediment exposures. The dye compounds appeared to degrade readily in the equilibrium and exposure periods, suggesting a limited persistence of the parent compounds in the environment under test conditions.Although azo dye degradation products could not be reliably quantified, one was detected in DY7 sediment samples that elicited toxic effects to Hexagenia and Tubifex, providing evidence that DY7 degrades. Hexagenia survival and growth endpoints responded with similar sensitivity to the dyes, but DY7 was the most toxic, with a 21-day IC25 (concentration associated with 25% inhibition) for growth of 9.6 μg/g. Comparatively, Tubifex reproduction was the most sensitive endpoint for all dyes with 28-day IC25s for young production ranging from 1.3 to 11.8 μg/g. At sublethal concentrations, toxic effects to Tubifex differed between dyes: the solvent dye exerted an effect primarily on gametogenesis (cocoon production), while disperse dyes, most notably DY7, caused effects on embryogenesis(development of worm inside the cocoon). This study indicated that there could be potential hazard to oligochaetes based on the observed effect concentrations, but given the lack of environmental measurements, the risk of these compounds is unknown. Further research is required to determine if degradation products were formed in all dye samples and whether toxicity was caused by the parent molecules, which have limited persistence under test conditions, or by their degradation products. To avoid underestimating toxicity, this study stresses the need to use an infaunal deposit feeder such as the oligochaete Tubifex in sediment toxicity assessments where highly hydrophobic compounds are present.

This dataset contains annual algal bloom indices (duration, extent, intensity, severity) summary statistics (maximum, mean) over the June through October monitoring period for Lake Erie. These data are derived from satellite remote sensing algorithms using European Space Agency's (ESA's) MEdium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS) sensor on the Envisat satellite (2002-2012) and ESA's Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) sensor on the Sentinel 3A and Sentinel 3B satellites (2016-present). At the end of each monitoring season, data are presented in annual report format including current and historical summary statistics of algal bloom indices, alongside relevant imagery. Citation: Binding, C.E., Pizzolato, L., & Zeng, C. (2021). EOLakeWatch; delivering a comprehensive suite of remote sensing algal bloom indices for enhanced monitoring of Canadian eutrophic lakes. Ecological Indicators, 121, 106999. doi:10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.106999

The Great Lakes Basin Integrated Nutrient Dataset compiles and standardizes phosphorus, nitrogen, and suspended solids data collected between the 2000-2019 water years from multiple Canadian and American sources around the Great Lakes. Ultimately, the goal is to enable regional nutrient data analysis within the Great Lakes Basin. This data is not directly used in the Water Quality Monitoring and Surveillance Division tributary load calculations. Data processing steps include standardizing data column and nutrient names, date-time conversion to Universal Time Coordinates, normalizing concentration units to milligram per liter, and reporting all phosphorus and nitrogen compounds 'as phosphorus' or 'as nitrogen'. Data sources include the Environment and Climate Change Canada National Long-term Water Quality Monitoring Data (WQMS), the Provincial (Stream) Water Quality Monitoring Network (PWQMN) of the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, the Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA) water quality data, and Heidelberg University’s National Center for Water Quality Research (NCWQR) Tributary Loading Program.

The coast of South-Eastern Georgian Bay has numerous bays and inlets. This area is an important resource for drinking water, recreation and fish habitat. While offshore water quality of Georgian Bay is not impaired, nearshore embayments and inlets, in some instances, have been reported to experience water quality degradation. Concerns include excess nutrients, increased frequency of cyanobacteria blooms and hypoxia. The Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund was expanded in 2012 to include the South East shore of Georgian Bay. This mandate allowed for researchers to assess water quality and nuisance and toxic algal blooms within a geographical scope from the Nottawassaga Valley Watershed to the coast of Georgian Bay between Port Severn and the French River. The program was completed in 2017. Lake Simcoe is the fourth largest lake entirely in Ontario. It is part of the Trent Severn Waterway connecting Georgian Bay to Lake Ontario where tourism generates more than $200 million per year. In 2007-2012 the Lake Simcoe Cleanup Fund was created to address the increased phosphorus loading from point and non-point sources, research and monitoring to improve environmental information for decision making and conservation of fish and aquatic wildlife habitat. Collaborative research between a number of government and non-government stakeholders have contributed to monitoring, research and management of Lake Simcoe to ensure long term ecosystem health of this valuable resource.

Hamilton Harbour is located at the west end of Lake Ontario. It was designated as one of 43 Areas of Concern in 1987 under the GLWQA where 11 beneficial uses of the harbour were deemed impaired. One of the primary recommendations of the Hamilton Harbour Remedial Action Plan was to decrease nutrient loads to Hamilton Harbour and establish water quality targets to decrease undesirable algae and improve water clarity. This long term data set consists of spatial and temporal water quality data collected in Hamilton Harbour since 1987 to measure ecological response of remedial efforts.