This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Scientists drawing in a seine to temporarily capture fish. IISD-ELA was the first place to discover that phospho-


rus leads to harmful algal blooms in lakes, which in turn led countries around the world to take steps to reduce the amount of phosphorus (such as that found in our laundry detergents) entering waterways. IISD-ELA proved in the 1970s and eighties that acid rain resulted in dramatic im- pacts on lakes, including the collapse of fish populations. Other revolutionary work conducted at the site over the last fifty years has explored the effects of hormones, mer- cury, pharmaceuticals, aquaculture and more on our water. IISD-ELA’s legacy is long and illustrious, and we have the experimental lake area to thank for cleaner water and a much better understanding of how we should treat our water supplies. Despite the progress made, threats to our water supplies have not gone away. And as we start to brace ourselves for the impending impacts of climate change and need to learn about new chemicals and pollut- ants entering waterways, IISD Experimental Lakes Area is here to meet those challenges head on. For example, for many years nanosilver particles with anti-microbial properties have been added to consumer items, such as clothing, washing machines and baby prod- ucts, but are relatively understudied when it comes to what they could be doing to lakes and rivers. IISD-ELA has started to add nanosilver to one of its 58 lakes to learn more about the impact they will have. Climate change has been occurring since before the site opened, and before we knew we were even researching it. Tanks to the long term datasets we have been keeping, however, we are able to now look back and see the changes to the lakes attributable to climate change. Under the operation of a policy-focused think tank


called the International Institute for Sustainable Devel- opment, the science can reach policymakers directly, mak- ing sure that the people who make vital decisions about the health of our water have access to the most accurate and recent findings on fresh water. So when you next turn on the tap, or drink a glass of


water, take a second to think about how lucky we are to have such a unique scientific facility keeping our water clean and free of pollutants. Or when you’re next flying to Winnipeg, enjoy the majesty of northwestern Ontario; just remember that if you look beyond those iconic trees and lakes, there is much more to the place than meets the eye. For more information on IISD Experimental Lakes Area, visit www.iisd.org/ela.


thehubwinnipeg.com


Researchers on the banks of Lake 626, working with a trapnet to capture fish, assess their health and then release them back safely into the lake.


Scientists analysing fish on the banks of a lake.


Setting up a stationary hydroacoustics system in Lake 626 to observe the movements of invertebrates and lake fish.


Researcher Ken Sandilands drilling through the ice to sample a lake in the winter.


Winter 2016 • 25


Photo Credit: L. Hayhurst.


Photo Credit: L. Hayhurst.


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80