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The Lake Guardian conducts sampling surveys on all five Great Lakes in the spring, when the water is cold and well-mixed, and in the summer, when the surface waters are warm and the lakes are stratified. Samples of water, sediment and lower foodweb organisms are collected at designated stations throughout Lakes Michigan, Huron, Erie, Ontario and Superior. Since 1983, the surveys have provided the only existing set of data with 40 yearsworth of water quality sampling information across all five Great Lakes. This dataset helps EPA identify Great Lakes ecosystem trends over the 40-year timeframe.

During this spring survey, scientists will study nutrient concentrations, algae, and zooplankton communities, as well as the diversity of the Great Lakes microbial community.

Participating scientists are from:

• EPA Great Lakes National Program Office

• U.S. Geological Survey

• Cornell University

• Natural Resources Research Institute, University of Minnesota Duluth

• Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education

• Michigan Tech Research Institute

• University of Chicago

• Cleveland State University

• Purdue University