GREAT LAKES 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH LABORATORY 

ANNUAL REPORT FY 1977 

October 1977 

Eugene J. Aubert, Director 

U. S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 

Environmental Research Laboratories 

Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory 

2300 Washtenaw Avenue 

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. 
NOTICE 

The NOAA Environmental Research Laboratories 

do not approve, recommend, or endorse any 

proprietary product or proprietary material mentioned in this publication. No reference shall be 

made to the NOAA Environmental Research 

Laboratories, or to this publication furnished by 

the NOAA Environmental Research Laboratories, in 

any advertising or sales promotion which would 

indicate or imply that the NOAA Environmental 

Research Laboratories approve, recommend, or 

endorse any proprietary product or proprietary 

material mentioned herein, or which has as its 

purpose an intent to cause directly or indirectly 

the advertised product to be used or purchased 

because of this NOAA Environmental Research 

Laboratories publication. 
PREFACE 

CLERL Director-Eugene I. Aubert. 

(Photograph by R. L. Chambers.) 

The Great Lakes Environmental Research 

Laboratory (CLERL) has completed its third year of 

operation in Ann Arbor. Our mission at GLERL is 

to conduct research directed toward understandi ng the environmental processes and solving 

problems in resource management and environmental services in the Great Lakes and their 

watersheds. The environmental Fnformat~on dcveloped is made available to NOAA, other government agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens to aid them in their environmental 

services, plans, and operation$. 

Understanding the complex lake-landatmosphere system of the Great Lakes region and 

the many interactions that influence our lives in 

this region requires a team of scientists with many 

different backgrounds working together an field, 

laboratory, and analytic investigafions into the limnological, hydrological, and meteorological properties of the Lakes, their basins, and the overlying 

atmosph~re. The ultimate goal of the GLERL program is to undrrqtand the lakr-land-atmosphere 

system to the extent that cnvironmenta! simulation 

and prediction models can be built to provide sufdicicant information on Creat Lakes processes and 

phenomena to support enlightened use of the region's rpsources and activities. 

This Annual Rcport is intended to inform the 

Great Lakes cornmun itv of GLERL's capabilities, 

program, significant results, and plans for the future. It is also :ntended to c$ncouragc an ~xchange 

of information between the laboratory staff and 

those in need of environmental information for 

operational, planning, or management activities. 

'Examples of some of thc major problem areas 

that the GLFRL program addresses are lake water 

lcvcls and cnnnect~ng channel flow prrdictfoncritical to erosion control, transportation, recreation, and power gcnrratinn; lake ice predictioncritical tn lake transportation and 5horeline structure design and protection; lake circu!ationcritical to ecosystems analysis and an undpxstanding of the transport and dispersion of pollutants; 

surface waves and oscillation5-critical to lake 

transportation, boating, and the control nf shore 

erosion and flooding; and the dynamics of certain 

chemical and biological properticc-critical to an 

understanding of man-inciuc~d changes in the 

Great Lakes ecosystem and to water quality, water 

supply, and fisheries management. 

Thc CLERL staff has been and is working with 

Great Lakes regulatory and management agencies, 

in both Canada and the United States, to providc 

them with the research products, data, and expertise they need. GLERL staff serve as officers, board 

members, or committee members of such organizations as the International loint Commission I-IJC), 

the Great Lakes Basin Commission, and thr International Association for Great Lakcs Research 

(IACLR), among others. These activities serve to 

providc an outlet for CLERL products and a means 

of identifying environmental problems requiring 

further study. 

Other outlets far GLERL products includ~ requests from privat~ organizations and individual 

citizens. The scientific community is informed of 

the products through journal articles, NOAA Technical Reports and Memoranda, and presentations 

at socicty meetings. The location of CLERC in Ann 

Arbor with the University of Michigan provides for 

graduatc student participation in GLERL projects. 

Visiting scientists have in the past participated in 

GLERL research studies; this activity is continuing. 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Preface 

Highlights 

Chemistry and Biology 

Environmental Systems Engineering 

Lake Hydrology 

Physical Limnology and Meteorology 

IFYGL 

l nternational and Interagency Activities 

Facilities 

Contracts and Grants 

Staff 

Publications 

Presentations 

Contractor Publications 

Page 

. . . 

11 1 

1 

3 

7 

I I 

15 

19 

2 1 

23 

27 

28 

29 

31 

33 
CLERL ORGANIZATION CHART 

I ADMINISTRATION RE) R. H. Bramlet, Head 

f , 

- 

CHEMISTRY 

DIRECTOR 

E. J. Aubert 

LAKE HYDROLOGY 

GROUP 

F. H. Quinn, Head 

COMPUTER FACILITY 17 F. C. Rodante, Head 

\ 

I 2 

CHEMISTRY and 

BIOLOGY GROUP 

A. Robertson, Head 

I 

r \ 

PHYSICAL UMNOUIGY 

and METEOROLOGY 

GROUP 

D. B. Rao, Head 

\ 2 

I f > 

MARINE 

INSTRUMENTATION 

LABORATORY 

f 5 

ENVIRONMENTAL 

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING 

GROUP 

A. P. Pinsak, Head 

i / 

PUBLICATIONS 

QR/ v ~henehon) 
HIGHLIGHTS 

The laboratory has completed its third year of operations in Ann Arbor. There has been a major increase in the laboratory facilities in the past year, 

providing better support for field operations. Activities have also increased markedly in interagency 

and international involvement and in advisory services. 

The GLERL organization chart shows that process 

research is aligned in four primary discipline areas. 

Problem-oriented multidisciplinary research is conducted with staff from more than one group. 

The GLERL in-house research program is 

supplemented by research grants and contracts with 

private institutions and other agencies. Likewise, 

GLERL receives some 5 percent of its fiscal support 

through interagency agreements with other government organizations. A major GLERL product is the 

publication of our research results and their presentation and discussion at scientific and user meetings. During FY 1977, 35 papers authored by GLERL 

staff and 11 papers by GLERL contractors were published, and 23 papers were presented by GLERL staff 

at meetings. 

Highlights of accomplishments during FY 1977 are 

as follows: 

Research 

Ecological modeling work included the application to Lake Ontario of a model designed to simulate 

seasonal changes in several types of plankton and 

chemicals in the upper and lower lake waters. Special 

emphasis was given to the study of exchange of 

materials between the sediment and lower waters. 

The model will permit the examination of whole 

ecosystem properties difficult to investigate experimentally on a large lake such as Ontario. 

Analysis of data collected in 1976 in the nearshore 

zone of Lake Michigan off the mouth of the Grand 

River indicated that spring runoff (MarchIApril) accounts for about 30 percent of the annual total nutrient, trace metal, and suspended matter loadings 

and that these large inputs result in biostimulation in 

the nearshore area. 

Analysis of the whitings in Lake Michigan continued, with emphasis on the kinetics of this autogenic calcite (CaCO,). The kinetics are important because of the particles' inherent light scattering properties, which will affect phytoplankton growth and, 

thereby, the entire ecosystem. Also, the CaCO, 

crystals adsorb nutrients (particularly phosphorus) 

along with vitamins and other organics and transport 

these to the bottom through precipitation. 

Work on the IFYGL energy budget program was 

completed. Data input and analyses of the energy 

budget terms provided by26 United States and Canadian investigators were evaluated and synthesized 

into an annual budget. Results showed that the heating of Lake Ontario from April to August 1972 was 

dominated by the net radiation, the cooling in October by evaporation, and the cooling from 

November 1972 to February 1973 by sensible heat flux 

and evaporation. 

A numerical model of Lake St. Clair simulating 

transport and diffusion of water quality variables was 

developed and tested as an aid in defining natural 

distribution and variability in that lake and as a tool in 

evaluating impacts of inputs and management 

strategies. 

A mathematical model was developed to predict 

the effect of waste abatement programs and human 

development of the drainage basin on Great Lakes 

phosphorus levels. In addition to phosphorus, this 

model predicts several parameters directly reflecting 

a lake's trophic state. This model is useful for planning purposes to compare the effect of various treatment strategies on Great Lakes' phosphorus concentrations and eutrophication. It was used to prepare 

testimony for hearings held by the State of Michigan 

on the effects of a limitation of phosphorus in detergents upon the water qualityof Lakes Erie, Michigan, 

and Huron. 

A mathematical hydrologic response model was 

developed and used to simulate the lake levels and 

flows that would have occurred naturally from 1860 to 

1975 to test the effect of lake regulation at the Soo on 

water levels in the upper lakes. Comparisons bebeen the simulated and recorded levels showed an 

average rise of 17 cm in Lake Superior due to lake 

regulation. 

Astudyof the optical properties of Great Lakes ice 

was conducted to better understand the impact of ice 

type and snow covers on solar radiation transmission 

through ice and on the reflectance of radiation. 

Studieson the IFYGLwater movements tasks were 

completed. The long-term, large-scale current properties of Lake Ontario showed a one-cell cyclonic 

gyre during the warm season, but a two-cell counterrotatingcirculation also occurs. The current power 

spectra show that inertial and near inertial Poincare 

waves predominate in mid-lake, while longer period 

topographic and Kelvin waves predominate within 12 

km of shore. 

The results of the analysis of currents measured 

during the winter of 1974-75 in Lake Huron were published. This study, a part of the IJC Upper Lakes Reference Study, showed that, during winter, Lake 
Huron was characterized by cyclonic circulation 

similar to what is now thought to characterize the 

summer circulation. The winter currents were more 

intense and penetrated to deeper water depths as 

was also noted in Lake Ontario. 

Surface wave studies using Waverider data from 

IFYGL and from Lake Michigan in 1976 to better understand the temporal spectral growth and nonlinear 

characteristics of wind-generated surface waves 

show a shift to lower frequencies of the wave spectra 

during development. 

A theoretical computer model was developed to 

simulate the intensity of storm surges on Lake Erie 

caused by lake-wide wind forcing. With routine National Weather Service wind forecasts for Lake Erie, 

water levels can be forecast up to 36 hours in advance. 

IFYCL 

The IFYGL Project Office continued as a part of the 

GLERL program. The NOAA role as U.S. lead agency 

required continued management activity to insure 

the satisfactory documentation of this multiagency 

program as it nears completion. The following are the 

major accomplishments: 

The IFYGL archive is complete. 

The 78 U.S. analysis tasks have been completed. 

Over 320articles on IFYGL results have been published. 

The 12 chapters of a book, IFYCL-The International Field Year for the Great Lakes, summarizing and 

synthesizing the major research segments are in various stages of completion. 

An IFYGL symposium was held as a part of the 

International Limnological Society meetings in 

Copenhagen, Denmark, in August. Eight IFYGL papers were presented and will appear in the Proceedings. 

The IFYGL Wrap-Up Workshop was held in Ontario, Canada, with 66 of the key participants in attendance. The program accomplishments were reviewed and future objectives for Great Lakes research 

were identified. The conclusions were that IFYGL 

successfully met its objectives, the IFYGL archive will 

be valuable as a research data source for years to 

come, and IFYGL established working relationships 

between United States and Canadian scientists that 

will improve Great Lakes research programs in the 

future. 

Water circulation and ecosystem modeling have 

been improved. 

I nternationd and lnteragency 

Activities 

The annual IAGLR meeting was cohosted by GLERL 

and the University of Michigan in May 1977. 

GLERL staff participated in the review and updating 

of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between 

the United States and Canada. 

GLERL staff are also actively involved in the Great 

Lakes Basin Commission program as Alternate Department of Commerce Commissioners and as 

working members of the Great Lakes Plan Committee, Priorities Committee, Coastal Zone Management Committee, and the Standing Committee on 

Research and Development. 

In their capacity as members of the lnteragency 

Technical Advisory Group of the Lake Erie Wastewater Management Study, GLERL staff evaluated the impact of phosphorus loading on Lake Erie for comparison with other impact assessments. 

GLERL staff are active in several capacities on the 

Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway Navigation Season 

Extension. Areas of involvement include planning for 

an assessment of the environmental impact of the 

extension and chairing of the Ice Information Work 

Group. 

Advisory Services 

During FY 1977,650 requests for information, data, 

or reports were received from various user groups 

and answered as a part of the GLERL advisory service 

activity; 400 recipients are on the mailing list for 

GLERL publications. Additionally, support has been 

given to the Great Lakes Sea Grant colleges in carrying out their advisory service activities. 

Facilities 

The total space of the laboratory's temporary 

quarters was increased by almost 50 percent with the 

leasing of an additional building. This provided the 

necessary space for the marine instrumentation 

laboratory to have a staging, machinery, electronics, 

and storage area and also will provide space for the 

installation of the new ice laboratory. 

The RNShenehon was modified by replacing the 

forward mast with a hydraulic articulated crane. This 

crane increases the ship's capability to deploy and 

retrieve heavy equipment, such as instrumented 

buoys and towers. 

A mobile chemistry laboratory was developed for 

on-site analysis of water samples during field programs where analysis is time-critical and samples 

cannot be returned to the laboratory at GLERL. 
CHEMISTRY AND BIOLOGY A rnodpl of the upper ard lower waters of Lak~ 

Ontario, d~si~n~d to simulate seasonal changes In - 

I five types of phvtoplan kton, six types of zooplankton, detrital carbon anti silica, organic nitrogen, 

amrnnnla, nitrate, available phosphorus, soluble 

reactive s~lica, dissolved oxy0gen, and the carbonate 

syqtem, was calibrated to the IFYCL data. The 

dvnamirs ni phoqphorus, nitrogen, carbon, qilica, 

oxygen, and benthic inverttabrates were also smulntrd for the shallow sedlment zone of Lake Ontario 

4 Fish Predation 1 0 

~~-711 Large I\ ' .- - - - -- C7+llnrs Others ' - --,. 

Ch~mistry and Biology Group Head-Andrew Robertson. 

(Photograph bv R. L. Chamhers.) 

The work in chemistry and aquatic biology is concentrated in three p~incipal task areas : ecosystems 

modeling, plankton studies, and water chemistrv 

studies. The program is a~rned at understanding the 

existing lake conditions, recognizing the trends that 

have occurred, and dcv~lopirig thc capability to predict the course nf events given alternative approaches to the management of thr Lakcs. In thts 

respect, the program w116 provide information pertinent to a large number of problem arcas rclative to 

thc usr, protpction, and conservation of the Great 

Lakes. 

Ecosystems Modeling 

A series of rncd~ls is bciny drvrloprd at s~veral 

levels of cornpleuitv to simulate realisficallv the fluctuations in amounts of carbon and oth~r ~~ologicallv 

meaningful components of the Great Lakes ecosystems. Once components are identified and interrelafionshipc arc drfincd, available data, including 

the IFYCL clata base, will be used to test, tune, and 

verifv the rnod~ls. In the process, research *reas requiring further efforr will b~ idrntifi~d. 

Sch~matic diagram nf the Lake Ontario ecosvslprn 

mudel. Arrow ~ndirate transftar pathwavr of biolog~cal 

and chemical procrsses [e.g., production, consurnprlnn, 

resp~rat~on). Xlodelq wch as th~s can be used to srrnulate 

and predict the concentrations of spveral bfolog~cal and 

chrmical properties In the Gredt Lak~s. 

with special ernphasi5 on th~ exchange of material 

bptwepn thr qrdirncnt and T(lwer waters. 

The model is being used in a number ofways. One 

investigation involves aggre~ating the output from 

srvcral modr f cornpartmen-s and averaging over 

time to produce carbon flour diagrams similar to 

thnq~ used in ~xpcrirnental and theoretical ecology. 

In these diagrams the size of the boxps rrprespnts rhe 

amount nf carbon in cach compartment or trophic 

level and the size of the pipes represents the flow 

betwe~n boxcs. Rv generating these flow diagrams 

from model output during various seasons, we can 

begin to examine whole ecocvstem properties quite 

difticult to invritrgate experimentally on such a large 

system as Lake Ontario. 

Additional work in our ecological modelins program includes calibration and testing of the rnndpl in 

rh ree physical regimes: II multilayrr la kc-avrragpd 

one-dim~nsional, 23 two-dimensional transect, and 3) 

ihrtp-dimrnsional. Wr will also use the model to 

examine specific biological and chemical processes 
ATMOSPHERE

~ HERBIVORES

HYPOLIMNION

Carbon flow diagram. This represents model output as

annual average epilimnetic carbon concentrations

(boxes-mg am) and flows (pipes-mg Om)/day) between the aggregated model compartments. Boxes and

pipes are drawn to scale. By representing model output

in this way, the major pathways of carbon flow can be

traced. This leads to a better understanding of the system and can assist in designing future research projects.

and control of productivity in lake Ontario during

IFYGl. Specific areas of model development will involve simulation of fish dynamics and the sedimentwater column exchange process.

Plankton Studies

An understanding of the Great lakes ecology and

successful ecological modeling requires detailed

knowledge of plankton dynamics because plankton

constitute a significant component of the food chain.

Until recently, models of plankton biomass dynamics

treated phytoplankton as a whole; this held true for

zooplankton, as well. For many problems of water

quality management, however, information is required on particular groups or species of phytoplankton rather than just total phytoplankton biomass. In addition, the kinds of zooplankton present

may represent the available food and affect fisheries.

The ultimate goal of this work is to build a realistic

dynamic model of seasonal succession for plankton.

Studies on phytoplankton succession and nutrient

competition at an offshore station in southern lake

Michigan from May through October 1976 and in

August 1977 show relatively distinct patterns in

species succession, significant seasonal variations in

rates of phytoplankton production, and weekly fluctuations in important nutrient concentrations. Diatom populations of Diatoma ,As terion ella, Fragilaria,

and Cye/otella develop individual maxima from May

through late summer. Green and blue-green algae

develop relatively large populations, partially displacing diatoms during summer and fall. Nutrient

limitation studies and variations in nutrient COncentrations show that phosphorus limits phytoplankton

F

I

S

H

100 August ~

E 80 September _ :J

E 60

";C

as40 ::E

o

~ 20

o

Phytoplankton growth as stimulated by various nutrients.

Phosphorus, nitrate-nitrogen, and silica were added to

the water at an offshore station in Lake Michigan, 15 km

west of Grand Haven, Michigan. The radiocarbon

technique was used to measure photosynthesis. These

results show that phosphorus is the primary nutrient

limiting phytoplankton growth.

growth, that silica is reduced to limiting levels at

certain times, and that variations in the ratio of silica

to phosphorus may trigger shifts in diatom species

succession. Studies on dissolved carbon dioxide and

nitrate-nitrogen indicate that these nutrients do not

regulate phytoplankton succession or production.

Immediate plans for 1978 include further data

analysis of physical, chemical, and biological variability during 1976 at the offshore station, the completion of adetailed phytoplankton species cycle, and an

analysis of species successional patterns and growth

rates in relation to variations in nutrient concentration.

To predict the dynamics of growth and death of

various kinds of phytoplankton and zooplankton, it is

necessary to predict feeding rates of different zooplankton on different kinds of phytoplankton. Toward this goal, we are measuring size-selective feeding rates for lake Michigan seston (phytoplankton

and other particulate materials) by different species

of Diaptomus, the dominant genus of herbivorous

copepods in the Great lakes. Copepods as well as

other grazers are generally believed to select

phytoplankton and other seston largely on the basis

of size.

Much of our effort during the past year has been

spent on evaluation of an electronic particle counter

that will make the rapid analyses of particle-size

spectra in lake water required for grazing studies.

Although care must be used in interpreting the results from the particle-size analyzer, it appears to give

satisfactory results.

4
sicilis 

3 I I ' I ashlandi : 1 

Equivalent Spherical Diameter (pm) 

Concentration and filtering rates. (a) Concentration of 

particulate material in control (lake water only) and experimental (lake water with zooplankton) bottles of Lake 

Michigan water after 24 hours of feeding. (b) Filtering 

rates calculated from data in (a). These results show that 

D. sicilis prefers larger particles than D. ashlandi. Experiment was performed 23 June 1977. 

Using the particle-size analyzer, we have examined 

grazing over a broad range of particle size for the four 

common species of Lake Michigan Diaptomus. Results so far indicate that the larger species, D. sicilis 

and D. oregonensis, "select" larger particles, and 

that the smaller species, D. ashlandi and D. minutus, 

select smaller particles. Such grazing experiments 

have been carried out on copepods during spring, 

summer, and fall. During late summer and early fall, 

grazing rates are very low. This appears to be correlated with the abundance of large filamentous bluegreen algae and diatoms that may be too long to be 

handled by the feeding appendages of the copepods; 

in addition, blue-green algae may be unpalatable. 

Low grazing rates of these algae may, in part, explain 

the dominance of these forms during summer. 

Next year, studies will be conducted in an attempt 

to establish correlations between food selection and 

the structure of the feeding appendages. Further 

studies to define the selection process and the response of zooplankton feeding rate to algal concentration are planned. 

Water Chemistry Studies 

Data analysis has concentrated on samples collected in the nearshore zone of Lake Michigan. Our 

major objective is to decipher transport mechanisms 

involved in moving land-derived material into the 

offshore lake ecosystem and the extent of the accompanying diagenesis. Several cruises were conducted during spring 1976 off the mouth of the Grand 

River (the largest river emptying into Lake Michigan) 

to evaluate the importance of spring runoff. This 

study was coordinated with the National Aeronautics 

and Space Administration (NASA) Lewis Research 

Laboratories Satellite Applications Group, who overflew our cruises with an airborne Ocean Color Scanner. Analyses have shown good correlation between 

the 632-nm band and total near-surface suspended 

matter. Spectral correlation with other data is being 

determined. Results from the spring studies have 

shown that spring runoff is important, with MarchApril loadings accounting for about 30 percent of the 

annual total nutrient, trace metal, and suspended 

matter loadings, and that these large inputs result in 

biostimulation in the nearshore area. This spring 

study, along with the analysis of data collected in 1972 

off the Oswego River mouth in Lake Ontario, documents the phenomena of floating and sinking river 

plumes due to differences in thermal structure. 

When they occur, these sinking plumes carry the 

river-borne material directly to the near-bottom 

zone, and when the lake stratifies, this material is 

effectively decoupled from the euphotic zone. 

Therefore, a significant fraction of spring runoff may 

have very little effect on the lake. Transport has been 

shown to be primarily conservative for dissolved 

materials, but the particulate material has three components. One fraction (presumably the smallest particles) appears to mix conservatively; a second frac- 
tion settles to the thermocline and travels along this culates, forming a zone at the sediment water intermaximum density gradient; and a third fraction floc- face from a fcw ccntimctrrs to ccveral rnclcrs thick. 

L~nds~al Coinr ScClnnpr Irnajil. nt thc Gratid RI\,P~ I>I~~m~. FIOI - 

ct~lrnt rnnteri,jl .~nd other \irsl)rnrltul rndttrr niahc tl~r,lunit< 

i~<rhle rrnnl tlic arr thrior~ rl~<~)~r<~ny ,jrltl xc~tllnr In the lakr-. 

On d~,,. 28 Apr~l lo'h, ~v~nrl< \tprca L~c,lrfrnr: t'rtx plumc 

nt5ar thc ,%?ichrgan \l~or+bF~n~ 

Another area of emphasis during the past vear has 

been the inorganic carbon cycle in the Great Lakes. 

Satellite imagcrv has shown progrrssive buildup of 

whitings, which we haw shown to be au togenic 

~a~0,crvstal growth. Analysis of 7965-7975 data files 

cowring cruic~~ on all nf the Lakes gave us an indication of the extent of potential CaCO, formation. The 

kinetics of particlp formation in the Cakes is important 

because of thc particltls' inherpnr li~ht scattering 

propet-ti~s, which will affect phytoplankton 

and thereby the entire ecosystem, as well as the 

documented ahiliw uf CaCO, crystals to aclsorb nutrient$ (parricularlv phosphorus) along with vitamins 

and othpr nrRanlcs and transport tClese to the bottom 

through precipitation. Field work this vear concentrated on quantifying the CaCO, formation and its 

t~rnporal variation. Future studies ivill involvt. the 

amount nf nutrient cornplexing and the efiect of particles on the light climate. 

* 1 " 

2 3111,>w; 1 B 5 

O1 2 34 5 5 78 9101112 4 

2 

3 

1 

2 

0 

I 

'1 2 3 4 56 78 910!1!2 

Ur)nlhlv r;lttl\ tli [C,I-'] I CO,']lo K,, (solut>ilitv pro~1~11 f iur ~t~le~tf~rl rrqionq ot thr C;~P,I! LJ~F~: ~rl\t 511pcrinr i l9hH1, xvpst 

S~rl~cr~or i 19(1qi, north ,MEr-l>~xati 11 9;1)1, <out!+ 'I1icf:i~an ! 19751, nortli ,~nrl L.I)IIII~ H~rron i TC)(,bt, cr?<t Erir 1 l9h; I x I ,ind T 9h- :mi], 

w,r<t Etir [Ic)h5 (Xr ;~nrE 1 Yb7 [mil, Cjnt;lrlo 11Y71 1. A ratin r)i I .O pc~r~~l~ ~aturatinn. 

6 
ENVI RO NMENTAL SYSTEMS expertise to misf in the solution of Great Lakes issues and problems. Such involvement establlsh~s a ENGINEERING direct two-way channel for our scientif~c expertise 

Env~ronmenfal Systems tngjn~~ring Group Head-Arthur 

P. P~nsak. 

(Photograph bv R. 1. Chambers.) 

The work of the Environmental Systems Engineering Group includes proj~cts on environmental 

engineering models and applications and CLERL environmental information services. Objectives in environmental engineering models and applications 

projects are to develop, test, and apply improved 

simulation and prediction models and other tools as a 

basis for rational decisions in development and use of 

Great Lakcs natural resources. 

Current Great takes issues and environmental information requirements are determined in large part 

through participation of CLERL staff on various interagency, State-Federal, and international boards, 

commissions, committees, and work groups. Environmental information services involve continuing 

identification of new users and their needs, dissemination of GLERL products and other environmental information, and response to environmental 

information requests. 

The combination of environmental ~ngineering 

models and applications and environmental information services provides an information system and 

and tools, ascertains research needs pertinent to our 

program planning, and identifies substantivt. arPas 

for CLERL participation in interag~ncv research. 

Environmental Engineering Models 

and Applications 

Eutrophication, the overc,timulation of aquatic 

plants by increased nutrient inputs, is a critical water 

quality problem in the Great Lak~s. This ovsrstirnulatinn results in such undesirable characteristics a5 decreased watcr transparmcy and the reduction of oxygen to levels below those necessaryfor the survival of 

many aquatic organisms. The key nutrient causing 

eutrophication, and thp onp most easilv controlled, is 

phosphorus. In fact, present efforts to reverse tht. 

trend toward eutrophication in the Great Lakes have 

focused on phosphorus control. To facilitate effective management decisions in this area, the Environmcnral Svstems Engineering Croup developed a 

mathematical model designed to predict fhe effect of 

waste abat~ment programs and human development 

of the drainage basin on phosphorus concentrations 

in the Great Lakeq. 

While the original model dealt strictly with phosphorus, the model has been extended over the past 

year to predict s~veral variables that more direczlv 

reflect a lake's trnphic state. The approach consiqts of 

a number of submodels and correlations that form a 

causal chain starting with human d~velopln~nt of the 

drainage basin and endFng with such mcaqurcs of 

poprlmon 

land uxe 

SOURCE 

PHOSPwORVS BUDGET 

I MODEL 

Schpmatlc diagram of the Grcat Lakes phosphorus 

model developed bv CLFRL. With this model, sc~entiqts 

can pr~dict thc impact of human dcvcTopmcnt on Great 

Lakes water qualitv. This informat~on can be used by 

gnvernmental and planning agencies in their decision 

making. 
eutrophication as chlorophyll a, water clarity, and 

hypolimneticdissolved oxygen. Other developments 

include a more realistic treatment of sediment-water 

phosphorus exchange. The major conclusion of this 

analysis is that, while much of the system would respond significantly under the present program of 

point source control, localized areas such as Saginaw 

Bay, Western Lake Erie, and Green Bay would also 

require reduction of diffuse sources to reach acceptable levels. 

A . 4 Reduction due to 1 mgl I Effluent -+ Reduction due to 0 mgl I Effluent 

Agricultural Sources 

Natural, Urban and Atmospheric Sources 

a 

Total phosphorus concentrations resulting from various 

treatment schemes for the Great Lakes as calculated by 

the phosphorus model. 

The model is also proving useful in a number of 

actual management contexts. For example, it was 

used to prepare testimony for hearings held by the 

State of Michigan to consider a proposal to limit the 

phosphorus content of detergents. The model was 

used to determine the effect of such a ban on the 

Great Lakes. In addition, the model will be used to 

estimate acceptable phosphorus loads in support of 

the renegotiated Water Quality Agreement between 

the United States and Canada. 

Work during the coming year will focus on model 

refinements, with particular emphasis on improved 

loading predictions and nearshore effects. Use of the 

model for planning and management will also be 

continued. 

are also of interest to the Michigan Department of 

Natural Resources in their operational programs. Averaging times are extremely critical in developing estimates of river loadings to the downstream lakes and 

the flow model provides the time resolution necessary to reflect short-term changes in water composition. 

A numerical model of Lake St. Clair simulating 

transport and diffusion of water quality variables was 

developed and tested as an aid in defining natural 

distribution and variability in that lake and as a tool in 

evaluating impacts of inputs and management 

strategies. A significant portion of the population of 

metropolitan Detroit live along *is international 

water body and contribute to this major problem area 

in thelower Great Lakes. Loads to Lake St. Clair from 

the St. Clair River and from peripheral tributaries and 

outfalls, of interest to both United States and Canadian managers, do not mix homogeneously in the 

lake, but rather have varying impacts on the Detroit 

River related to short-term changes in circulation. 

Lake St. Clair water quality model applied to chloride. 

Mathematical models can be used to simulate transport, 

diffusion, and significance of material entering the 

Lakes. Distribution patterns, such as shown in this 

graphical computer display of chloride (in mg/l) in Lake 

St. Clair, are then verified with observed data. 

Based on discrete observations combined with This water quality model was adapted to Lake Onhydraulic transient flow models, loadings of dis- tario and tested against the observed distribution of 

solved constituents in the St. Clair and Detroit Rivers mirex in the bottom sediments of that lake and, using 

are providing input to the IJC Reference concerning sources in the Niagara and Oswego Rivers, was able 

pollution of the upper Great Lakes. These estimates to duplicate the observed distribution patterns. Al- 
Incident Emittod Global 

sensible Latent Long Wave Long wave Soiar Pmi~itation eaY 

Heat Heat Radiation Radiation Radiation 

St. Lawrence 

0 

Outflow 

35 

Ice 

and Industrial Inputs Formation 

Average annual fluxes of energy balance components (calories/cm2/day) contributing to heating and cooling of Lake 

Ontario during IFYCL (April 1972-March 1973). Ice formation and decay terms are based on a 15-week period. Average over-lake cloud cover for the year is 71 percent. 

though the elements of the problem in Lake Ontario One of the core IFYGL programs was the develophad already been defined, the data set provided a ment of an energy budget for Lake Ontario. Twentygood basis for verification of this model approach six United States and Canadian investigations were 

and the potential for application to other generically directly involved in providing data inputs and 

similar problems in the Great Lakes. analyses of each of the energy balance terms. Results 

Lake Ontario heat balance. Many of the IFYGL tasks contributed to final calculations of the lake heat balance. Synthesis tasks are 

within the triangle and analysis tasks within the rectangle. Basic data areoutside (primary data in bold type and secondary in light). 

9 
of these investigations were evaluated and synthesized during FY 1977 into an annual budget. A 

numerical radiation model and a two-dimensional 

heat conduction model developed by contractors 

were used to define radiation terms and to make 

lake-scale estimates of heat used in ice formation and 

decay. The generally applied method of partitioning 

evaporative and sensible heat was evaluated and the 

problems associated with application to a large dimictic lake were clarified. Application of the Bowen 

Ratio is tenuous during the lake heating cycle from 

March through August, but fortunately, this phase 

accounts for only a very small percentage of the annual net evaporation. Results of this energy balance 

program will provide input to ice forecasts and estimates of evaporation, water balance, climaticeffects, 

and dissipation of heat as these relate to navigation, 

power generation, lake regulation, weather characteristics, and projected trends of municipal-industrial 

stress. A summary of the energy budget research, 

along with other IFYGL programs, will be published 

during FY 1978 in a book entitled IFYGL-The International Field Year for the Great Lakes. 

The atlas of Lake Ontario physical variables is 

nearing completion. Maps depicting distributions of 

atmospheric and water variables have been completed as have tabular summaries of the data. A large 

number of scientists have contributed to the information processing that will be drawn together to 

serve as a reference document to scientists, engineers, and resource planners and managers. 

agencies who request runs of our hydraulic response 

models for specific time periods for a connecting 

channel such as the Detroit River, agencies or private 

companies involved with transportation in the Lakes 

that request information on existing ice conditions 

for prediction models or ice climatology for planning 

or research purposes, secondary schools that need 

material for environmentally-oriented course work, 

or university libraries that require publications on 

Great Lake limnology. 

In support of NOAA's Office of Ecology and Environmental Conservation, 22 Draft Environmental 

Impact Statements pertinent to the Great Lakes or the 

Great Lakes Basin were reviewed and commented 

upon during 1977. 

Determination of the need for Great Lakes environmental information and interactions takes many 

forms. In addition to the inquiries and requests 

handled by the laboratory, many GLERL scientists are 

involved in interagency and international meetings, 

symposia, and workshops where information exchange takes place. The scientists also serve as consultants; committee, board, and commission members; and officers in Great Lakes organizations and as 

working members of interagency special study or 

work groups. 

Future plans call for continued contact with other 

Federal, regional, State, and local organizations to 

increase awareness of the GLERL mission and program and to further define problems in the Great 

Lakes requiring input of environmental information. 

This will help 6 the evolution of the GLERL program Environmental Information Services to meet these needs. 

One of the major missions of the GLERL program is 

to provide environmental information to individuals 

and organizations involved in operational, planning, 

or management activities that impact upon, or are 

impacted by, the environment in the Great Lakes. To 

this end, an advisory service activity was established 

within the Environmental Systems Engineering 

Group to provide afocus within GLERLfor communication with the users of GLERL data, information, and 

publications. The GLERL mailing list presently includes 400 recipients who desire and regularly receive 1 or more of the 6 types of GLERL publications. 

During FY 1977, GLERL handled 650 requests for 

information, data, or reports. Requests come from a 

broad spectrum of users, including universities, Federal and State agencies, private organizations, regional planning groups,and individual citizens. Every 

request cannot be filled with an item from the shelf; 

many require some degree of analysis, an opinion, or 

computer runs with or without some minor programming changes. Examples are Federal and State 
LAKE HYDROLOGY recreational boating enthusiasts, thtl power utilities, 

the Great Lake5 States, and thc general public. 

-WW-B~W-~ I The amount, tvpr, and rxtent of ~ce on the Great 

B Lakes is of ~nreresto all those who use the Cakes ~n 

\ wintpr, !rut espcciallv ro those who navigat~ them. 

Prcdiction informat~on on Grpat Lak~s ice is of value 

to lrvinler navigalion, shortlline engineering, hydrop0wt.r grncration, water supply management, and 

waste drsposal. Pritnary uscrs of ice infermation are 

the Corps of En~ine~rs, thr W.S. Coast Guard, the 

National Weather Service, the St. hawrenc~ Seaway 

Development Corporation, the Great Lakes shipping 

industry, shoveline prop~rty owners and the ~en~ral 

public. 

Hydrology 

Lakc Hvdrolop Ciroup Hr,ltf- Frdnk H. Quinn 

(Photograph by R. I. Charnbrrs.) 

The ernphaser of the Lake Hvdrologv Group are on 

the hydrologic cycle, including channel hydraulics, 

and on ice research. The obi~ct~ves of the hvdrologic 

work are to devclop improved methods of prediction 

and simulat~on of lake lev~ls, connecting channel 

flows, and flow in tributary streams and to improve 

understanding of the hydrologic processes. The objectives of the ice work are to improve the prediction 

of freezeup, breakup, areal extent, and thickness of 

FCP in the Great Lakes and ~h~ir bavs, harbors, and 

channels and to improve understanding of the 

natural variability and optical properties of Ice cover. 

The work involves an integrated program of data collection, data base development, analysis, prediction 

model development and testing, and advisorv service . 

Prediction and simulation information on lake 

level5 and Flows is necessary for watpr resource plannFng and management and for the solutiorn of problems in water supply, water quality, shore erosion, 

hvdropower, navigation, recreation, and flooding. 

Primary users of hydrologic information are the 

Corps of Engineers, the Great Lakes shipping industry, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 

During FY 1977, emphasis was placed on modeling 

and simulation studies. The first of these studieq was 

to determine the historical effect of Lake Superior 

regulation on the water levels and flows of the upper 

Great Lakes. A mathematical hydrologic response 

model was developed to represent the natural regime 

of Lakc Superior as it existed between 1860 and 1887. 

The model tvas used to simulate the Lake Superior 

lake levels and outflows that would have occurred 

from 1860 to 7975 under natural conditions. Cornparisons between the simulated, natural, and record~d levels showed an average rise of? 7 crn due ta 

regulation. The simulated outflows for the period 

1937-1975 were run through GLERL's Great Lakes 

Hydrologic Response Model to analyze the effects of 

regulation on Lakes Michigan-Huron, St. Clair, and 

Erie. The results showed no long-tcrm bias due to 

regulation. 

The lock5 and cornpensatlng \vorks at Sault Ste, Mane, 

Mirhigan. The locks allow ships to pass between Lake 

Superlor and the lower lakes. The compensating works, 

constructed between 1931 and 1921, h~Ep regulate watw 

 level^ in Lake Superior. 
Two conceptual watershed models, the National 

Weather Service Hydrologic (NWSH) and the Corps 

of Engineers Streamflow Synthesis and Reservoir 

Regulation (SSARR), were adapted for use in the 

Great Lakes Basin. The models were evaluated for 

accuracy in simulating volumetric runoff and as a 

potential tool for predicting regional runoff into the 

Great Lakes. Two pilot projects were conducted. The 

models were initially evaluated on a single watershed, the Genesee River Basin in western New York. 

The SSARR model was selected and further tested on 

a large area with multiple watersheds constituting the 

southeastern Lake Michigan Basin. More extensive 

application of the models is planned for FY 1978. 

In July 1977, a study was begun to develop a hydraulic transient model of the St. Lawrence River. 

Initiated by request of the Corps of Engineers, the 

model divides the St. Lawrence River, from Lake Ontario to the Moses-Saunders Power Dam, near 

Cornwall, Ontario, into 30 reaches and provides information on flows and corresponding stages in each 

reach. Primary use of the model during winter is for 

analysis of ice-related problems. The model will provide information on the effects of different ice conditions on flows and water levels in the seaway and 

examine the effects of hanging ice dams. Projected 

uses of the model include determining the effects of 

extending the navigation season on water levels in 

Lake Ontario. 

On the IFYGL evaporation synthesis program, final 

evaporation estimates have been received from the 

; 236 - 

9! River locations 

Effects of ice cover on water levels in the St. Lawrence River. 

The sol id line indicates simulated water levels assuming 

open-water conditions. The dotted line indicates simulated 

water levels assuming the same water level at Lake Ontario as 

in the above case and 1 -ft ice cover on the river. The dashed 

line indicates the water level of Lake Ontario under openwater conditions that would deliver the same volume of water 

past the Moses-Saunders Dam as the above lake level with a 

1-ft ice cover. 

120- 

lo, - Water Balance 

80 - 

.- 

W 

IIIIIIIIIII

April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar 

1972 1973 

Monthly evaporation estimates for Lake Ontario. These 

curves compare two methods used to estimate Lake 

Ontario evaporation during IFYGL. 

supporting IFYGL panels. Work is proceeding on the 

final intercomparisons and analyses of the terrestrial 

water balance, energy balance, evaporation pan 

technique, aerodynamic procedures, and atmospheric water balance tasks. The final synthesis and 

recommended values for Lake Ontario evaporation 

will be completed in FY 1978. 

Ice 

The amount of radiation penetrating ice or a combined ice and snow cover is often critical to the survival of plants and animals in both large and small 

freshwater lakes. But the nature and magnitude of 

radiation penetration through ice is only partially understood. A major effort during FY 1977 was directed 

toward the study of the optical properties of ice. The 

first measurements of radiation transmittance 

through ice on the Great Lakes in the 400-700 nm 

range were completed. Data were gathered on the 

variation of radiation transmittance due to solar altitudes, cloud types and amounts, and different types 

and thicknesses of ice and snow. Naturally snow-free 

and snow-covered ice surfaces as well as artificially 

cleared (of snow) ice surfaces were examined. 
Several factors were found to affect radiation 

transmittance. When total sky cover changed from 

clear to cloudy. radiation tranmittance was significantly affcct~d; variations of nearly 20 percent were 

observed on one occasion. On the other hand, varying visual appearance of the ice surface did not 

ncce5sarilv indicate significant changes in radiation 

transmittance. 

Results of calculations from a simple two-layer 

rnod~l show that even a thin snow cover overlying an 

ice layer pxerts a prodound effect on the overall 

transmittance and reflectance of the corn bination; 

this was verified by field data. The model also shows 

that ice layers with high refl~ctanc~ pxprt some influence on the overall transmittance and reflectance if 

the upper layer (of snow, frost, etc.) has a reasonably 

low reflectance and high transmittance. 

This study has provided significant new information on the penetration of photosynthetically active 

radiation through certain ice and snow covers cornmon to the Great Lakes region. 

l nvestigations are continuing on day-to-day 

changes in ice albedo and extension of the observations of irradiance at various water depths below ice. 

The spectral reflectivity of ice in the 300-1100 nm 

range will also be examined. Two sp~ctroradiorneters 

were recently acquired for that purpose and will 23~ 

used for initial data collection during the 1977-78 

winter season. 

A pilot study to archive areal ice-cover data for the 

Great Lakes in a digital format was initiated. Data from 

~CP charts depicting ice concentration, distribution, 

and age for Lake Superior during past winters are 

cu rrentlv being abstracted and stored on cornputw 

tapes. In the coming year, computer programs to 

analvze this data will bc developed to update icecover clirnalology of the Great Lakes and to make the 

ice-cover data base morc useful for researchers and 

rngin~~rs, in both the public and private domains. 

The 7936-77 ice cvcl~ on the Great Lakes was 

documented through the collection of visual aerial 

ice reconnaicsance, ice charts, side looking airborne 

radar irnagerv, and satellite imagery. This information 

will be used to update current ice-cover climatology 

and to distribute as part of the ice advisory services. 

This past winter was noteworthy in that ice covers 

Computer produced ice chart of Lake Superior for 15 

Januan, IWh. Th~s was generated after data from a visual 

reconnaiwance ice chart waq entered into the computer. Satellite photograph of ice on southern Lake Michig~n. 

Once hundreds ~f such charts arc In mcrnory, statrstical Thiq imag~, taken from LANDSAT nn 10 February 7977, 

analysec and calculations can he perfnrrnpd for cri~ntifir shows the ice concentrated on th~ Paqtern shore of the 

purposes, such as development of an ice climatologv. lake, where it ha5 been driven bv the prevailing winds. 
formed early and were unusually extensive. One indication of the winter's severity was the unusually 

extensive ice cover in southern Lake Michigan in 

Februarv 197'7. 

A bett~r und~rstanding of ice tran~port in the Great 

Lakc5 has br~n gaincd hv formu'ating a onedimensional model. Plans for the corning vear includ~ a d~lerminatfon of thc best rcprcscntation nf 

the internal StrPsS of ice, an analy5is of the effect of 

wavcs on ice transport, and an examination of thcrrnodvnamic effects on ice transport. CurrentTv this 

study is forused on Lake t rie, but with some modification it could be appliecl to other Great Lakes, 

ICP-thickness data collrcted from 21 bav, harbor, 

and river sites on the Great Lakes wpre correlated 

with free7ing degree-dav accumulations to develop 

regression ~quations to predict icr thicknsss. Data 

base? at individual sites ranged from thrcs to ~ight 

winters in length. 

Bathythermograph data collected on Lake Superior 

ovra a fnur-wintar period were used to calculate 

winter heat storage and its temporal variation. Rv tht. 

usr of a technique d~veloped to describe the change 

in heat storage for a given winter, a relationship between the date of fall overturn and maximum ice 

extent oi Lake Superior for a given winter was devclopcd. Commencing in August 1976, additional 

data on water temperatures during late summer and 

fall have been gathered. After an adequate data base 

ha$ been established, thi~ data will bp used to studv 

th~ f~asihilitv of d~veloping a tpchniqup for Inngrange forecasting of the date of initial ice formation. 

51 ~~ntrct lnunt h~ng ,In r>.p~nrlabl~ t,dthv!hrrrno~raph 

(XRT). These probes transrn~t the water ?PmpPraturPs as 

thcv fall from thc s~rrfacc to the bottom. 
PHYSICAL LIMNOLOCY 

AND METEOROLOGY 

-411 days 

.1 hr. 

6 mm. 

lh 

Phvs~ral L~mnology and Met~wrologv Croup HeadDesiraju B. Rau. 

(Photograph by P. W. Slcrss.) 

The work in phvsical Iimnology and m~t~orology is 

In two prolects: ('1) water movements and temperature and (2) surface wwes and oscillations. The purpose of each project is tn irn~rove understanding of 

the dvnamic proresses and to better predict currents, 

temperatures, wind waves, and nther environmental 

variahl~s. Circulation, transport, and diffusion must 

h~ i~nderstood in order to predict the chernicaf and 

biolo~ical properties of the lak~ environment thatar~ 

important rn diverse user activities, such as waste 

rnanaqernent, power generation, fisherieq management, and wa tt.r supply planning. Waves and osci I lations present potential hazards important to 

shorrlinr pmperty owners, navigation, commercial 

and sport fishrng activities, recreationat boating, 

beach erosion, coastal zonc rnan agernent activities, 

ship design, etc. 

The phenomena that need to he studicd vary from 

annual and seasonal to hour5 and s~conds in time 

scales and from the lcngth nf a lake to only a few 

meters in $pace scales. Of importanceare a set of lake 

phenomena with common and scientific names: 

PAFSSURE 

JUMPS 

Scales of physical lake phenomena. Thiq chart ind~cates 

thc time and space 5cal~s of known phvsical 

phenomena. To hp accu ratc, circrrlat~on rnudplc must 

faithfullv s~rnulat~ a? manv of th~cp phenomena as posqihle. 

seasonal circulation, internal Kelvin and Poincar6 

waves, topographic waveq, coastal iet~, upwtlling 

and downwclling, thermal bar, and seasonal 

stratification-all phenomena far investigation in the 

water movements and temperature project; and 

wind set-ups, spichp~, storm surge$, and surfac~ 

ivaves-all phenomena for investigation in the surface wave and nqcillation project. Thc studies are 

div~rse in nature, including observational programs, 

data analyses, numerical simulations, and theoretical 

studies. 

Water Movements and Tern peratu res 

Long-term, large-scale current studies of Lake Ontario were complrtcd and documented in FY 7977 as 

part of thc IFYGL Project. The data revealed that in 

winter, when the la kc waq unstratified, currents had 

similar specrlc at all depths. Ir! summer, on the nther 

hand, whrn the lake was stratified, sppeclq decreased 

rapfdlv\vEth depth. The changeover from stratified to 

unstratified o~curred near thtl pnd of October. 
In addition to stratification effects, there was also a 

gradual increase in current speeds at all levels from 

spring to fall. In spring, warm air over the cooler lake 

caused atmospheric stabilityand lessened over-water 

wind speeds. Just the opposite occurred in fall and 

winter. 

20 I I I 1 I I I 1 I I 

-1Om 

Months of the year 

Lake Ontario current speeds averaged over 5 days for all 

current meters. This graph shows the vertical variability of 

summer currents and the vertical similarity of winter currents 

found in the IFYGL data. 

From the horizontal distribution of Lake Ontario 

currents, the following overall flow pattern emerged. 

Off the south shore, the mean flow was to the east 

both in winter and summer. Off the north shore, 

however, the pattern was more complicated. In 

summer the eastern two-thirdsof the north shore had 

a westward mean flow, while the western one-third 

had an eastward flow. Where these two flows met, 

the currents turned southwest. In winter, with more 

variable winds and very little thermal current, the 

northwestern clockwise flow expanded and contracted from month-to-month. At one extreme, the 

entire mean flow was counterclockwise. 

Analyses of mean current patterns observed in 

Lake Huron during winter 1974-75 were completed 

and published. This study, a part of the IJC Upper 

Lakes Reference Study, showed that during winter 

Lake Huron was characterized by cycloniccirculation 

similar to what is now thought to characterize summer circulation. Winter currents were more intense 

and penetrated deeper in contrast to summer currents, which were more often confined to surface 

layers. This behavior is similar to what was found in 

the IFYGL current data from Lake Ontario. The cyclonic flow observed in the homogeneous (winter) 

water mass raises fundamental questions about the 

nature of lake circulation phenomena. Processes 

suggested as causes of one-cell cyclonic flow patterns 

have in past studies depended on the existence of 

density stratification. Winter studies in both Lakes 

Ontario and Huron reveal a need for re-examination 

of these phenomena. 

MICHIGAN 

SCALE IN KILOMETERS 

Resultant current flows observed in Lake Huron during 

winter 1974-75. The depth of each measurement level is 

indicated beside the seasonal vector resultant. 

In a previous study, long-period waves of undetermined origin were found in the Straits of Mackinac 

during summer and fall 1974. The waves appeared to 

be independent oscillations of both the Lake Michigan and Huron Basins, but a longer period of datawas 

required for identification of these waves. Hence, 

two recording current meters were set in the straits in 

October 1975 and retrieved in May 1977. Records of 

15-months duration were obtained and are being 

examined to determine the nature of these newlyfound lake basin oscillations. 

In May1976, acomprehensivefield experiment was 

undertaken to study current and temperature distributions in the southern basin of Lake Michigan. 

Experiments in other lakes had shown that lake currents were strongest in the first 10-15 km offshore. To 

study the characteristics of these coastal jets, their 

longshore variations, and the role of long internal 
wave5 propagating along the coastline in nearshore 

dynamics, pa~rs of stations at 7.5 and 15 km offshore 

were set at intervals nf 30 krn along the east coast of 

southern Lake Michigan. A cross wction extending 

from Racine, Wisconsin, to Holland, Michigan, was 

instrumented to study the matching of coastal flow 

with the interior circulation and near-inertial period 

internal waves on the thermocline. The University of 

Wisconsin-Milwaukee and the University of 

Wisconsin-Madison participated in this study. The 

ficld portion of the program was completed in 

November 1976. T~P data have been processed and 

edited and some analysis has been started. 

An array of current metrrs with integral temperature sensors was deployed in Green Bay in May 1977 

and retrieved 5 months later. The purposes of this 

study were to quantify water mass exchange rates 

between the bay and Lakehlichigan and to determine 

patterns of water moverntant within th~ bay itself. 

Green Bay has experienced water quality degradation 

due to conlinuing large inputs of contaminants about 

its perimeter. Determination of its flushing rate and 

water movement characteristics is essential for 

eventual improvement. 

A stv~n-lavrr numerical model of circulation patterns and thermal distributions in Lake Ontario has 

becn d~ve1npt.d and test~d. Tuned realisticallv with 

IFYCL data, the model produced results generally 

similar to those observed. Two episodical sirnulaticlns, one for July and the other for December, werp 

carried out with hourly rneteoro!ogical forcing obtained from IFYGL data. The time-dependent results 

differed strikingly from the mean states. Detailed 

comparisons, made with coastal-chain rnrasu rements as well as other IFYGL data, indicated satisfactory general agrt.crnents. Howcv~r, it was found that 

the model response was faster than that observed in 

the lak~. 

A three-dl mensional circulation model with increased resolution of the coastal zone has been 

shown to rpproducc the sclrnmer circulation of Lake 

Ontario better than existing models. In addition, it 

has been shown that a sirn~lar model can bc uscd to 

understand the circulation of Lake Kinneret, the 

former Sea of Galilee. Long-term simulations of Lakes 

\i 

Onfario an< Michigan have also been done and 

1 5. progress made toward applying the results to 

f- chemical-biolngical rnod~I5. 

Plans for next vear include continuing analvses of 

p" - 

currents in Lakes Huron, Ontario, and Michigan, in- 

+,&- 

' \ cluding comparisons of thtlir similarities and differences. 

Surface Waves and Oscillations 

Deplovmcnt uf a current meter. LZ1hen current dafa at 

varluus depths are needed, string5 of ~urh rn~t~i-5 arp 

susp~nclec in a column. 

[Photograph bv I. H. Savfor.) 

Results of an extensivp study of temporal sp~ctral 

growth and nonlinear characteristrcs of windgenerated surface waves in Lake Ontario showed that 

spectral growth prevailed most often during periods 

of increasing wind speeds. Thp higher order wavpwTave and rnultiwave interactions are generallv most 

intense near the peak-enrrgy frequency of the unispectrum. Thus, the exchange of energy within the 

uniqpectral p~ak is of predominant importance. Furthermore, from examining the temporal growth of 

bispectral and trispectral components, it has been 

clearly demonstrated that the peak-energy frequency 

transfers more energv to the lower frequency component$ than to the higher frequency components. 

The field rneasurpment prngram in Lake Michigan 

this past year consist~d of four Waveriders lorated 20 

km offshore from Milwaukee, Wisconqin, and 10 and 

213 krn offqhore from Muskegon, Michigan. An instrument tower was installwl 2 krn nffqhorp from 

Muskegr~n, Michigan, in 16 rn of water. Sensors 

placed on the tower inclvdtbd two for wind ?peed, 
-. 

.' FREQUENCY 3.511 13.601 c/d ,, Dm"n 6.6(1 16.671 h 

The Tongest per~nd s~iche af bhc main Lake Huron Basin. 

Calculated pha~~ drstribution relative to LA (Cakeport, 

Michigan) i? shown by solid line5 in incremtnfs of 30', 

with the nc line lab~l~d hv an arrow ~nd~cating the dircctlon of propagation. Calculated arnplitrlde dlstr~hutinn 

relative to a maximum of 1110 ic indicated bv dashed 

lines. Observed phases relntiv~ tn LA, amplitudes (indrcat~d bv th~ numbrr of asteriqks), irequencv, and 

period are In bracketc. 

M'av~ measuring huov. Data on wavc hc~ght\ nrp tranimitt~d to a shore station, where thpv arr recorded aq simulated. For several episodes of high wind speeds, 

funct~ons of time. model output agreed very well with recorded water 

(Photn~raph bv R. j. Robbins.) levels. When routine National Weather Service wind 

forecasts for Lake Erie arc> used, water levels can he 

two for air temperature, one for wind direction, and 

one for surface water temperature. An array of four 

wave staffs was used to measure wave heightc in 

order to compute directional wave spectra. The data 

were telemetrred to shore and r~cordcd on a recording and processing system designed by GLERL's 

marine instrument laboratory. 

A cooperative program between GLERL and Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratories 

(AOML) was initiated to combine In silu wavc gage 

datawith remote sensing measurements from af rcraft 

during the fall storm of 20-21 November 1977. T~P 

program will provide both temporal and spatial wave 

data for a comprehensive surface wave qtudy. Next 

year, plans are to analyze the dir~ctiolnal wave spectra 

from th~ tower data and the measurements made 

during the CLERL-AOML cooperative program. 

Cak~ Erie storm surges caused bv lakc-wide wind 

forcing wpre simulatcd by a computer mod~1. From 

wind data recorded hourly at Unit~d Stat~s and 

Canadian weather stations around Lake Erie, largpscale water level fluctuations of the lake can now be 

forecast 36 hours in advance. 

As a result of the storm surge simulations, the importance of atmospheric boundary layer stability in 

determining momentum transfer from rhc wind to 

the water has become apparent. During stable atmospheric conditions, w+en the air may be as much 

as 20" C warmer than the water, mamcntum transfer 

can be reduced by half. Plans for the coming year 

include further investigation of this effect, extension 

of storm surge simulatrons to Lake Huron, and cooperation with the National Weather Service to evaluate 

op~rational ctorm surge forecasts. 

The two-dimensionaj seiche charact~ristics of Lake 

Huron have been computed with the adjoining water 

bodies-Saginaw Bay, Georgian Bay, and the North 

Chann~l-taken into account. Theoretical computations of the periods and structures of several 

seich~ modes agreed well when compared with those 

deduced from spectral analyses of water level data. 

The Physical Lirnnologv and Meteorology Group has 

nnw computed the two-dimensional seich~ characteristics for all the Great Lakes. 
ENTER 

YEAR 

NAP 

FOR 

'IONAL FIELD 

THE GREAT 

LAKES (IFYGL) 

lFYCL is a mwltiagency, joint Unit~d StatesCanadian program of environmental and water resource research addressing Lake Ontario and its 

drainage basin. The central objective is to improv~ 

knowledge, information, and simulation models of 

the environment to provide a scientific basis for improved management of Great Lakes water-related ac. 

tivities. The data collection program was initiated in 

1972 and the analvsis and reporting phase will be 

compl~tcd in mid-1978. 

U.S. IFYGL Coordinator-C. 'Frdprlck jtn kins 

(Photograph by R. 1. Charnbrrs.) 

NOW is the U .S. lead agency and CLERL exercises 

management rer;ponsibility. I FYCL work cuts across 

all disciplines at CLERL and constitutes a major part of 

the effort. 

There have been a number of significant accomplishments to date on the IFYGL Program. Some 

of these are: 

* Completion of archives at the National Climatic 

Center, Ashwille, North Carolina, and at the Canada 

Centre for tnland Waters, Burlington, Ontario, 

Canada, containing data collected by United States 

and Canadian scientists. These data are available to 

interested users. 

* Completion of the 78 U.S. analysis tasks. 
Publication of 320 articles and reports on the 

IFYGL results. 

Presentation of a set of eight papers at an IFYGL 

Symposium held in Copenhagen, Denmark, in August 1977 as part of the International Limnological 

Society triannual meeting. 

Improved knowledge of the temporal and spatial 

distribution and variability of physical, chemical, and 

biological properties. 

Development and testing of numerical models to 

simulate and predict physical, chemical, and biological processes and phenomena related to water 

quality, water quantity, water circulation, and living 

resources in Lake Ontario. 

Preparation of the first4 of aset of 12 international 

Summary Scientific Report volumes to be published 

in 1978 summarizing the IFYGL work. 

The program remains on schedule for completion in 

1977, except for publication of a book, INGL-The 

International Field Year for the Great Lakes, containing the Summary Scientific Reports. An IFYGL 

Wrap-Up Workshop was held in October 1977 in 

Ontario, Canada, with 66 of the key participants in 

attendance. The program accomplishments were reviewed and future objectives for Great Lakes research 

were identified. The conclusions were that IFYGL 

successfully met its objectives, that the I FYGL archive 

will be valuable as a research data source for years to 

come, and that IFYGL established working relationships between United States and Canadian scientists 

that will improve Great Lakes research programs in 

the future. 

IFYGL reports were regularly distributed to 450 institutions or individuals in the United States and to 

250 in Canada. 
INTERNATIONAL AND Plan Committee (formerly the Comprehensive Coordinated Joint Plan Committee), the Priorities ComINTERAGENCY ACTIVITIES mittee, the Coastal Zone Management Committee, 

The GLERL program includes support activities for 

and participation in the work of manyotheragencies, 

in both the United States and Canada. This is one of 

the mechanisms whereby our research product is 

used; in addition, we obtain information on requirements for environmental information to support planning and management activities. This user 

need information is helpful in shaping the future 

GLERL research program. 

International Joint Commission (IJC) 

GLERL participates in many of the activities of the 

IJC. Various staff are involved in committee and subcommittee work. These include work on the Research Advisory Board that provides the IJC with 

information on the state-of-the-art in Great Lakes 

research and recommends research programs. Also 

included is participation on the Scientific Basis for 

Water Quality Criteria Committee, the Upper Lakes 

Reference Group, the Pollution From Land Use Activities Reference Group, the Surveillance Subcommittee of the Water Quality Board, the Environmental 

Mapping Task Force, and the Federal Support Committee to the U.S. Cochairman of the Water Quality 

Board. The Scientific Basis for Water Quality Criteria 

Committee provides advice on the water quality objectives for pollutants in the Great Lakes; the Pollution From Land Use Activities Reference Group is 

assessing the significance and sources of pollution 

from land drainage to the Great Lakes and will develop recommendations on remedial measures. The 

Surveillance Subcommittee provides an annual assessment of the environmental quality of the Lakes, 

defines problem areas, and coordinates the surveillance activities of the many different agencies. The 

Environmental Mapping Task Force conducted a 

workshop and prepared a report including recommendations for mapping the Great Lakes. 

GLERL staff participated in the review and updating 

of theGreat Lakes Water Quality Agreement between 

the United States and Canada. This agreement will be 

administered by the IJC. 

Great Lakes Basin Commission 

GLERL staff are involved in the Great Lakes Basin 

Commission as Alternate Department of Commerce 

Commissioners, members of the Great Lakes Basin 

the Standing Committee on ~esearch and Development, and as participants in the Maumee River Basin 

Level B Study. The Great Lakes Basin Plan Committee 

has responsibility for developing an approach to 

identifying and coordinating water and related 

structural and non-structural near- and mid-term 

programs designed to enhance the economic, environmental, and societal aspects of the Great Lakes 

Basin. A major effort has been development of a 

process to analyze effects of plans at all levels and to 

include public participation in the process. 

The Priorities Committee develops guidelines and 

criteria for establishing priorities of the Federal or 

federally supported Great Lakes Basin water resources initiatives for consideration by the National 

Water Resources Council; the Coastal Zone Management Committee coordinates, exchanges, and 

develops information pertinent to the Coastal Zone 

Management activities of the Great Lakes States; the 

Standing Committee on Research and Development 

assists Priorities Committee and Great Lakes Basin 

Plan Committee activities and develops improved 

research coordination, particularly for the Great 

Lakes portion of the basin. GLERL participation in the 

Maumee River Basin Study consisted of development 

and review of a Proposed Level B Plan which, after 

approval, completed the study. 

Winter Navigation Program 

GLERL is working in support of the Corps of Engineers in a multiagency program to examine the 

feasibility of extending the navigation season 

throughout the Great Lakes system. The Ice Information Work Group is chaired by a GLERL staff member. 

Also, GLERL has membership on the Winter Navigation Working Committee and the Steering Committee of the Environmental Planning Task Force, and 

represents NOAA in the Environmental Evaluation 

Work Group. The laboratory provides data on the 

physical and structural character of lake ice; on ice 

formation, growth, and decay; and on the effects of 

winter navigation on shore properties. In addition, a 

marine environmental service is provided to shippers 

during the extended season. 

A report by the Winter Navigation Program was 

submitted to Congress in late 1976. Legislation 

passed Congress in 1976 to extend the program 

through June 1979. The emphasis of the extended 

demonstration program will be on the St. Lawrence 

River. 
The International Coordinatin 

Committee on Great Lakes Hy 8 raulic 

and Hydrologic Data 

Because much of the Great Lakes data base is used 

internationally, Canadian and United States users of 

hydraulic and hydrologic data formed a Coordinating 

Committee in 1953. The objectives of this committee 

are to reach agreement upon hydraulic and hydrologic data and related physical data concerning 

the Great Lakes; to assist agencies in pursuing studies 

requiring international data; to provide basic data to 

anyone with a recognized need; to reach agreement 

on methods and procedures for measuring, collecting, and storing pertinent data; and to publish coordinated data. GLERL participates on the River Flow 

Subcommittee with a charge to coordinate tributary 

stream inflow to the Great Lakes system, to coordinate studies of flow in the connecting channels and 

the St. Lawrence River, and to establish procedures 

for updating and disseminating river ftow data. 

Great Lakes Basin Hydromet Network 

Work Group Study 

The Great Lakes Basin Hydromet Network Work 

Group, with membership from NOAA, the U.S. 

Geological Survey, and the Corps of Engineers, was 

formed to determine specific alternatives with timeframes and cost estimates for implementing, improving, and expanding U.S. Great Lakes Basin hydrologic monitoring. GLERL is one of the NOAA 

members of this work group, the aim of which is to 

improve lake level forecasts. 

Lake Erie Wastewater Management 

Study 

The Lake Erie Wastewater Management Study is a 

multiyear U.S. Army Corps of Engineers program to 

design and develop a demonstration wastewater 

management program for the rehabilitation and environmental repair of Lake Erie. GLERL staff participate on the Interagency Technical Advisory Group 

and have also, based on phosphorus loadings 

supplied by the Corps of Engineers, evaluated the 

impact of these loadings on Lake Erie for comparison 

with other impact assessments. 

International Association for Great 

Lakes Research (IAGLR) 

Members of GLERL actively participate in the activities of IAGLR. They hold membership on the Publications Committee (Chairperson) and the Board of 

Directors, and A. Robertson of the GLERL staff is 

serving this year as President of the Association. 

GLERL and the University of Michigan served as 

cohosts of the 20th Conference on Great Lakes Research in May 1977. There were over 200 papers and 

500attendees at this meeting. Many of the GLERL staff 

contributed their efforts toward making this a successful conference. 
GI-ERL's laboratory and support facilities are an integral part of its research program. Thcse arp housed 

in thrce leased buildings in Ann Arbor, with a total 

spacc of about 19,000 square de~t, and in a 10,000 

square foot warehouse and dock facilitv in ~Monroe. 

Chemistry Laboratory 

During: the past year, chemistry laboratow work 

has concentrated on the analysis of nutrirnt and 

chlorophvll qamplcq from thr ncarshnrr rnvironment of Lake Michigan. In conjunction with nutrirnts, tcchniqu~s havr h~en adapted for the 

analvsis of organic carbon and carbonates in water 

and sediments. Dissolved and particulat~ humic 

acids, important as cornpi~ving asents for trace metals and nrganics, have a\o been quantitatively 

analyzed. The distribution and diagrn~si5 of saburated hydrocarbons In the nearshore zone have been 

studied; thiq work will h~ extcndpd in the near future 

to includr aromatic materials bv the use of gas and 

liquid ch romatographv. Also in the imrnt:diatc fuzurr, 

we will be adapting a graphitc furnacr to our atomic 

abqorptfon sppctrophotorneter, enabling us to 

analyze low levels of dissolved tracp metals in water. 

zooplankton, and phytoplankton. Studies rneawring 

nutrlent upfa ke with radioactive isotopes have been 

conducted with the aid af a liquid scintillation 

counter, and thr effects of zooplankton feeding on 

particle size distributions have been monitored with 

a Coulter Counter. Contrc)lled cnvironm~nt chamber~ allow the culturing of various kinds of plankton. 

An inverted microscope is used to obtain species 

counts for algae and conventional microscop~s are 

used to id~ntifv and count zooplankton and benthos. 

Scirnt~sts counting benthic ~~rgan~sm~. D~nqit~eq Ina 

hottorn ~arnpl~ ~ndlcat~ the dpgrw of \v;lt~r quali~. 

(Photograph bv C. F. Jenkins.) 

Technirlan usrng thp AutoAnalyzcr 11. This ~ns:rurnent rs luven~l~ and adult Pnnt~por~~a off~nrs (9X). Th15 ~ppcipg, 

h~ing used In measure total nitrogen and phosphorus onp of the rnoqt w~delv distr~ht~trd benthic organl.irns in 

conrcntratrnn., rn lake samples. the Great Lake5. 1s an ~rnportant food cowrce for manv 

(Photograph t~v PW Sloss.) Ivpes of t15h. 

Biology Laboratory Marine Instrumentation Laboratory 

The biologv laboratory is equipped to carry out a The marine instrumentation laboratory has rcvariety of experimental studies involving benthos, centlv moved into new quarter5 with .%OO square feet 
of office and laboratoryspace. This new facilityallows advises the marine forecast section of the National 

consolidation of C LERL'c instxumentation engineer- Weather Sewice in Chicrgo of wave conditions. 

ing, maintenanc~, stagin!;, and storage operations in 

the Ann Arbor area, thereby greatly improving support to CLERL field observation programs. Some of 

the accomplishments in FY 7977 are: 

Installation of a complete operational wave dirertion and amplitude measurement svstem powered hv 

solar energy on a tower in Lake Michigan. The information gathered includes four wave staff signals, two 

wind speed signals, one wind direction signal, three 

temperatur~ srgnals, one solar input signal, and one 

$torage battery condition signal. 

Deplovment of four Waveriders in Lake Michigan. 

Uqing data telemetered to shore, CLERL routinely 

D~vclopment and implementation of a general 

purpose programmable data acquisition and data 

reduct~on micro-computer system with a Zilog 8-bft 

central processing unit. This system is being used 

with ou r vector averaging current metcrs and surface 

wave measu rernent svsterns. 

* Construction of the Chapelsky-Yanderploeg-5oo 

plankton trap and testing in the Universitv of Michigan fluid mechanics laboratory test tank. 

Completion of a temperature-controlled water 

circulation unit to work with radiocarbon uptake incubators. 

Show statron at ,hIwkegcm, hl~ch~gan. The twu ~nslrurnents to the left rccelve and record data ~ranqmitted 

from thc instrurn~nt~d wave tower. (SPP I~ft.) The two 

instrurnpnts to the ri~ht rpcplve and rtacord data transmitted f-om wavp rncasurirlg hunvs. 

(Photograph hv P. 12'. 51nsr.l 

Computer Laboratory 

During the year thr CLERL computer laboratory 

-.. ,f - . and its staff have conlributed greatlv to GI-FRt 

projects in the followi.lg activities: darn management, analysis, modeling, and evaluation. The 

+ ~- - -7gmrnrning activities ,ire accornpliqh~d via remote 

tch processing through a UNITECH (UT-1) Remote 

lmrnunicationi Processor connected to a CDC6600 

,,naputer located at the Environmental Research 

Laboratories in Boulder, Colorado. A Tcktrnnix 

4014-1 Graphical Displav Terminal is also connected 

In5trumpnted wavp tnwpr. LYnntJ S~PPCI and direction, air to the CDC hr;OO to as5ist project scientists in the 

and water trmpcratures, and water EWPI are rn~asurcd analv5is of data and to provide them with thP capabil- simultan~ously. Kad~n~d to a chnr~ station and rccordcd 

as a funcfion of time, the~e data can be used to deter- ity of graphical diqplavs of their data. 

minc rclatiunqhins betwecn wfavpc nnd rnptpnro!oeical A Hewlett-Packard %03A Scientific Measurement 

var~ahles. Tile to&r opcratcs on solar power. and Control Svstem allows GLERL to process and edit 

(Photograph kv P. LZ'. SIWSS.' existing raw data records from a variefy of field data 
collection instruments and tu develop a laboratory crane, with a 1630-pound lifting capacity at 21-foot 

real-time interactive data acquisition system. extension, increases the ship's capability to deploy 

and retrieve heavy equipment, such as instrumented 

:"Pf-' ' buoys and towers. 

The computer laboratory. The Hewlett-Packard Scientific Placement of bunvs with the RrV Shenehnr;. The crane, 

Measurement and Control Svsf~m iq in the background. added th15 pa51 war, greatlv facilitates such np~rationq. 

(Photograph bv P. It'. SSloqs.) (Photograph bv R. 1. Chambers.) 

Ice Laboratory 

A new ice laboratorv has been ordered ancl will be 

installed in Ann Arbor in early 1978. The laboratnry 

will be used for cuch diverse applications as measuring the dielectric properlies of ice samples for 

inter-rpmote sensing and for environmentally calibrating delicaz~ opdical sensors. The laboratory has 

two compartments. The larger compartment is a 

workroom kept at i-20" F. The smaller compartm~nt, 

kept at -2rP F, is primarily an icr storage room, hut it 

can also bt. used for ice crystal growth experiments. 

RJV Shenehon 

Many nf CLERL's fiefid experiments use the RW 

Shenehon , a converted T-boat, length-65.5 fe~t, 

beam-17.7 feet, and draft-6.5 feet, which is operated by GLERL. The vessel has a 600-nautical- mil^ 

rangc, with a cruising sperd of 10 knots, and is fullv 

complemented with navigational, communication, 

depth sounding, and water and sediment sampling 

equipment. Fonvard and aft winches handlr 'both 

hydrographicwire and multiconductnrelectric cablc. 

The 120 square foot Iaboratorv facilitates the conduct 

of onsitc ch~wical and biological analvses. Speciallv 

dpvploped plankton traps for ?razing clxperirnen ts, in 

situ chemical probes, and incu hation charnb~rr; for 

culture and radioactive isotope uptake e~periments 

are used in binlogical and chemical experiments. 

The forward mast was removed this past year and 

was replacrd with a hydraulic articulated crane. This 

During 1977, the RW Shenehon operated in southern Lake Michigan out of the Port od Grand Haven in 

direct or logistical support of six CLERL proiects: 

* The ship was uscd to deplov and service telemetcring acc~lerom~trr tvpe wave buovs as part of n 

program to study thr processes of fetch-limited su rface waves in southern Lake Michigan. 

* During the ~n tire open-water season, open-lake 

wat~r samples were used tn document diff~r~ncrs in 

food selectivity by individual znnplan kron ~prcieq 

and to determine the effect of grazing bv the entire 

zooplankton comrnunitv on the summer succession 

of phvtoplan kton species. In situ primary production, chemical, and nutrient analyses are being used 

to investigate phvtoplankton nutrient.rompetition. 

Chemical constituents, par~iculate material, nutrients, and trace metals were measured off the 

mouth of the Grand River to quantify and charactcrize transport, deposi tinn, and impact nf material 

b~ing discharged into Lake Michigan. 

Sediment turps and bottrlrn water samples were 

taken by divers for extraction of invertebrates being 

identifird in an investigation of the time-spa~ial distrihution of theseorganisms ,and their relat~onship to 

water depth, particle size, and organic carbon. 

Sediment traps built at the 1ahorato.y wt.rp deployed at multiple depths at nine qtations off the 

mouth of the Grand River; these were retrieved each 

month and sediment extractrd for analysis in a project to dassifvvarious organic and inorganic elements 
with respect to sediment grain-size and distance from An IBM Mag Card II Selectric Typewriter facilitates 

source. review, editing, and formatting to various publishers' 

Meteorological observations and solar radiation specifications. All graphics and photo services are 

were continuously recorded aboard ship in support procured under contract to the laboratory. 

of each of the sampling programs. 

These various field investigations have provided 

essential support to laboratory programs concerned 

with determining natural distribution and variability 

of lake characteristics and defining physical, chemical, and biological processes and interrelationships 

and sediment-water and air-water exchanges; all are 

essential inputs to numerical simulation of the 

natural system and to forecasts of time and space 

scales of interest to users. 

Library and l nformation Services 

The GLERL library supports the laboratory's programs through the facilities of a small, growing collection of periodicals, tecyhnical reports, books, and 

reference materials. Currently, these materials are 

being augmented by materials obtained from a recently dissolved NOAA library. Future plans call for 

participation in the on-line cataloging system of the 

Ohio College Library Center (OCLC). OCLC is designed to reduce duplication of effort by sharing 

original cataloging among cooperating libraries. The 

large bibliographic data bases within the OCLC system also facilitate interlibrary loans. 

Supplementary materials required by individual 

laboratory researchers are obtained by purchase or 

interlibrary loan. Regular trips are made to local 

academic and research libraries to obtain materials. 

In addition, an on-line search service has been instituted, providing ready reference to the computerized bibliographic data bases of NOAA's 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Scientific Information Service (OASIS). OASIS is an information retrieval system that uses computerized sources to provide reference to the technical literature and to research in the 

environmental sciences and marine resources. 

Publications Section I 

~ 

Publications are a major GLERL product and dissemination of information provides a critical communications link. During the past year the publications section has processed, edited, and typed 37 

manuscripts in various formats as prescribed for 

publication in professional journals and NOAA reports. 

A list of GLERL publications is sent to the mailing list 

every 6 months and requests are filled until supplies 

are exhausted. 
CONTRACTS AND GRANTS DURING FY 1977 

Principal 

Investigator Institution Title 

H. E. Allen Illinois Institute Trace Metal Species 

of Technology 

I. R. Bennett 

C. E. Birchfield 

Massachusetts Institute Circulatioh of Lake Ontario 

of Technology 

Northwestern Coastal Circulation of Lake 

Ontario 

R. P. Canale University of Michigan Phytoplankton Nitrogen 

Utilization 

C. W. Chen 

G. T. Csanady 

Tetra Tech, Inc. 

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 

Water Quality Ecological 

Model for Lake Ontario 

Coastal Circulation 

K. E. Damann State University of Dynamics of Lake Michigan 

New York (Buffalo) Plankton 

J. E. Cannon University of Michigan Role of Predacious Rotifers 

T. Green University of Wisconsin Current Measurements in 

(Madison) the Coastal Zone of 

Eastern Lake Michigan 

D. D. Houghton University of Wisconsin Dispersion of Pollutants 

(Madison) 

S. J. Jacobs 

C. F. Lee 

C. H. Mortimer 

C. H. Mortimer 

R. R. Rumer 

J. T. Scott 

University of Michigan Parametric Model for Wave 

Prediction 

University of Texas Biological Characteristics 

(Dallas) of the Nearshore Waters 

of Lake Michigan 

University of Wisconsin Currents and Oscillations 

(Milwaukee) of the Offshore Waters 

of Lake Michigan 

University of Wisconsin Whole Basin Inertial 

(Milwaukee) Oscillations 

University of Delaware Effects of Wind and Waves 

on Ice Transport 

State University of Climatology Circulation 

New York (Albany) Patterns 

F. Sciremammano Stockton State College Lake Ontario Water 

Supplies 

E. F. Stoermer University of Michigan Algal Populations 

R. A. Sweeney State University of Copepod Life History 

New York (Buffalo) 
STAFF AS OF 30 SEPTEMBER 1977 

Full Time Commissioned Temporary or 

Permanent Officers Part Time 

- 

Office of Director 4 0 3 

Physical Limnolo y and 

Meteorology doup 17 0 2 

Chemistry and Biology 

Croup 11 0 3 

Lake Hydrology Croup 9 1 0 

Environmental Systems 

Engineering Croup 6 1 3 

Computer Systems 5 0 0 

Total 52 2 11 
PUBLICATIONS 

A 6-months listing of our available publications 

can be obtained from 

Writer-Editor 

Great Lakes Environmental Research 

Laboratory 

2300 Washtenaw Avenue 

Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104 

Assel, R. A. 1976. Great Lakes ice thickness prediction. 1. of Great Lakes Res. 2:248-255. 

Assel, R. A., and Quinn, F. H. 1977. Preliminaryclassification of Great Lakes winter severity, 1947- 

1976. GLERL Open File Report. 

Chapra, S. C., and Robertson, A. 1977. Great Lakes 

eutrophication: The effect of point source control of total phosphorus. Science 196:1448-1450. 

Chapra, S. C. 1977. Total phosphorus model for the 

Great Lakes. 1. Environ. Eng. Div., ASCE 103:147- 

161. 

Chapra, S. C., and Tarapchak, S. J. 1976.Achlorophyll 

a model and its relationship to phosphorus 

loading plots for lakes. Water Resour. Res. 

12:1260-1264. 

Cline, J. T.~, and Chambers, R. L. 1977. Spatial and 

temporal distribution of heavy metals in lake 

sediments near Sleeping Bear Point, Michigan.]. 

of Sediment. Petrol. 47: 716-727. 

Cutchin, D. L.+, and Rao, D. B. 1976. Baroclinic and 

borotropic edge waves on a continental shelf. 

Special Report No. 30 prepared by the Department of Energetics and Center for Great Lakes 

Studies, the Universityof Wisconsin-Milwaukee. 

Derecki, J. A. 1976. Heat storage and advection in 

Lake Erie. Water Resour. Res. 12:1144-1150. 

Derecki, J. A. 1976. Lake Erie terrestrial radiation. 

Water Resour. Res. 12:979-984. 

Eadie, B. J., and Robertson, A. 1976. An IFYGL carbon 

budget for Lake Ontario. I. of Great Lakes Res. 

2 : 307-323. 

Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. 

1976. Annual report for the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. Ann Arbor: Great 

Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. 

Grumblatt, J. L. 1976. Great Lakes watertemperatures, 

1966-1975. NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL 

GLERL-11-2 (Full Microfiche Edition). 

Hagman, B. B.* 1976. On the use ofmicrowave radiation for Great Lakes ice surveillance. NOAA 

Technical Memorandum ERL GLERL-13. 

Hagman, J. C.* 1977. Environmental information requirements: GLERL user study. GLERL Open File 

Report. 

Lake Hydrology Group. 1976. Lake Ontario IFYGL ice 

studies data report. GLERL Open File Report. 

Leshkevich, G. A. 1977. Great Lakes ice cover, winter 

1975-76. NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL 

GLERL-12. 

Liu, P. C. 1977. Applications of empirical fetch-limited 

spectral formulas to Great Lakes waves. In Proceedings of the 15th Coastal Engineering Conference, pp. 113-128. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Liu, P. C., and Kessenich, T. A.* 1976. IFYGL shipboard visual wave observations vs. wave measurements. 1. Great Lakes Res. 2:33-42. 

Pickett, R. L. 1977. The observed winter circulation of 

Lake Ontario. 1. Phys. Oceanogr. 7:152-156. 

Pickett, R. L., and Rao, D. B. 1977. One- and two-gyre 

circulations in homogeneous lakes. IFYGL Bull. 

19:45-49. 

Pinsak, A. P. 1977. The role of Maumee Bay in level B 

planning strategies. Great Lakes Basin Comm. 

Commun . 7:5-6. 

Pinsak, A. P., and Meyer, T. L. * 1976. Environmental 

baseline for Maumee Bay. Ann Arbor: Great 

Lakes Basin Commission. 

Quinn, F. H. 1976. Lake St. Clair hydrologic transfer 

factors. NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL 

GLERL-10. 

Quinn, F. H. 1976. Pressure effects on Great Lakes 

vertical control.]. Survey. and Mapp. Div., ASCE 

102:31-37. 

Quinn, F. H. 1977. Annual and seasonal flow variations through the Straits of Mackinac. Water Resour. Res. 13:137-144. 

Quinn, F. H.,and Hagman, J. C. * 1977. DetroitandSt. 

Clair River transient models. NOAA Technical 

Memorandum ERL GLERL-14. 

Rao, D. B. 1977. Calculating useful products from an 

oceanographic data base. Marine Sciences Directorate Manuscript Report Series No. 45. Ottawa, Ont.: Marine Sciences Directorate. 

Gru mblatt, J. L. 1976. Great Lakes water temperatures, 

1966-1975. NOAA Technical Memorandum ERL t~ot affiliated with his laboratory. 

GLERL-11-1. *No longer affiliated with this laboratory. 
Rogers, J. C.* 1976. Sea surface temperature 

anomalies in the eastern North Pacific and associated wintertime atmospheric fluctuations 

over North America, 1960-73. Mon. WeatherRev. 

104: 985-993. 

Saylor, J. H., and Miller, G. S. 1977. Wintercurrents in 

Lake Huron. NOAATechnical Memorandum ERL 

GLERL-15. 

Saylor, J. H., and Danek, L. J. * 1977. Wind-driven 

circulation of Saginaw Bay. In Proceedings of the 

75th Coastal Engineering Conference, pp. 3262- 

3275. New York: American Society of Civil Engineers. 

Scavia, D., and Eadie, B. J. 1976. The use of measurable coefficients in process formulationszooplankton grazing. Ecol. Modeling 2:315-319. 

Scavia, D., and Chapra, S. C. 1977. Comparison of an 

ecological model of Lake Ontario and phosphorus loading models. 1. Fish. Res. Board Can. 

34: 286-290. 

Schwab, D. J. 1977. Internal free oscillations in Lake 

Ontario. Limnol. and Oceanogr. 22: 700-708. 

Schwab, D. J. 1977. An objective analysis scheme for 

lake currents. IFYCL Bull. 19:50-52. 

Schwab, D. J., and Rao, D. B. 1977. Gravitational 0scillations of Lake Huron, Saginaw Bay, Georgian 

Bay, and the North Channel. /. Geophys. Res. 

82:2105-2116. 

Tarapchak, S. J., and Stoermer, E. T.+ 1976. Environmental status of the Lake Michigan region. Volume 4. Phytoplankton of Lake Michigan. Report 

No. ANUES-40 prepared for the U.S. Energy Research and Development Administration by 

GLERL and the University of Michigan under 

Contract No. W-31-109-Eng-38. 

Thomann, R. v.+ and Scavia, D. 1977. Some comments on a water quality model for deep reservoirs. 1. Water Pollut. Control fed. 49:507-509. 

*No longer affiliated with this laboratory. 

'~ot affiliated with this laboratory. 
PRESENTATIONS 

Aubert, E. J. 1977. The relevance of IFYCL. 2Dth Congress of the Societas Internationalis Limnologie 

(SIL), 7-14 August 1977, at the University of 

Copenhagen, Copen hagen, Denmark. 

Chapra, S. C. 1977. Research needs and applications 

of a total phosphorus budgel model for thr Great 

Lakes. 20th Conference on Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 1977, at the University of 

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Eadie, B. J., and Chambers, R. L. 7977. Chemical 

characteristics of the Grand River (,Vichiganl 

plume. 20th Conference on Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 1977, at the University of 

Michrgan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Huang, j. C. K. 1976. Dynamic balanc~ of phwical 

prncesspq in a lake-scalp simulation model. Second Annual Meeting of the American Ceophysical Union, Midwest~rn Region, 21-27 October 1976, at the University of Michigan, Ann 

Arbor, Michigan. 

Huang, 1. C. K., and Shieh, C. J.~ 1976. Seasonal 

variation in the North Pacific Ocean. 1976 Fall 

Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical 

Union, 7 December 197h, San Franciqco. California. 

Huang, I, C. K., and Sloss, P. LV. 1977. Heat energy 

balance in a lake sirnul.ation model. 20th Conference on Great takes Research, 70-12 May 

1377, at the Univ~rsity ef Michigan, An.t Arbor, 

Michigan. 

Jenkins, C. F. 1977. The Great Lakes research program 

at C LERL. Ann Arbor Rotary Club meeting, 4 August 7977, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Liu, P. C. 1977. A hindcast nf Lake Superior waves 

during: the disastrous storm of 10 November 

1975. 20th Conference orl Great Lakes Research, 

10-12 May 1977, at the Un~versitv of Michigan, 

Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Pickett, R. L. 1976. The observed summer circulation 

of Lake Ontario. Second Annual Meeting of the 

American Geophysical Onion, Midwpstern Region, 21-21 Octohcr 3976, at the Univ~rsily of 

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Pickett, R. L., and Bermick, 5.1977. A slide show-A 

~ake Ontario winter storm. 20th Conference on 

Great Lak~s Research, 10-12 Mav 1977. at the 

Universitv of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Scientist addrewing an in-h~uc~ seminar. CLERL staff 

sp~ak at conferences, ~n-housr wmlnars. and other 

meetings where SCIP~~/S~S or laymen gather to diwuss 

the env~ronmert of the Great Lake<. 

(Photograph hv P. W. 5loss.l 

Quinn, F. H. 7977. Lake Superior regulation effects. 

20th Conference on Great Lakes Research, 10-1 2 

May 1977, at the Univrrsity of Michigan, Ann 

Arbor, Michigan. 

Rao, D. B. 797'. A numerical procedure for computing resonant periods of natural water bodies. 

l nternational Symposium on Tsunami Research, 

23 March 1977, Ensenada, Baja California. 

Rao, D. R. 1977. Recent research in physical limnolngy and oceanography. 40th Annual Meeting of 

the American Society of Lirnnology and 

Meteorology, 20-23 june 1977, Lansing, Michigan. 

Ran, D. B. 1977. Some stuc'ies on oscillations and 

circulations in lakes. Seminar, 13 April 7977, at 

the Wnivprsity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 

Laboratory for Atmospheric Research, Urbana, 

Illinois. 

Robertson, A. 1976. Availabilihr of information for 

mapping plankton distribution in the Great 

Lakes. it'clrkshop on Environmental Valve Mapping of the Great Lakt?s, 8 November 1976, 

Windsor, Ontario, 

hot affiliat~d wit^ this lahoratow. 
Robertson, A., Strong, A.~, and Eadie, B. J. 1976. 

Satellite observations of calcium carbonate precipitation in the Great Lakes. Second Annual 

Meeting of the American Geophysical Union, 

Midwestern Region, 21-23 October 1976, at the 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Robertson, A., and Scavia, D. 1977. Ecosystem and 

water quality modeling during IFYGL. 20th Congress of the Societas Internationalis Limnologie 

(SIL), 7-14 August 1977, at the University of 

Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark. 

Robertson, A., and Scavia, D. 1977. The examination 

of ecosystem properties of Lake Ontario through 

the use of an ecosystem model. 20th Conference 

on Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 1977, at the 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Saylor, J. H. 1976. The winter circulation of Lake 

Huron. Second Annual Meeting of the American 

Geophysical Union, Midwestern Region, 21-23 

October 1976, at the Universityof Michigan, Ann 

Arbor, Michigan. 

Scavia, D. 1977. Identification of research needs 

through ecosystem modeling. 20th Conference 

on Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 1977, at the 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Schwab, D. J. 1977. Dynamical simulation and forecasting of wind tides on Lake Erie. 20th Conference on Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 

1977, at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 

Michigan. 

Schwab, D. J., and Rao, D. B. 1976. External and internal oscillations in lakes. Second Annual Meeting 

of the American Geophysical Union, Midwestern 

Region, 21-23 October 1976, at the University of 

Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Sloss, P. W., and Birchfield, G. E.+ 1976. Model tests 

for a winter storm on Lake Huron. Second Annual Meeting of the American Geophysical 

Union, Midwestern Region, 21-23 October 1976, 

at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Tarapchak, S. J., Eadie, B. J., Liikala, D.', and 

Rubitschun, C.* 1977. Variations in primary production, phytoplankton composition, and nutrient concentrations at an offshore station in 

southern Lake Michigan. 20th Conference on 

Great Lakes Research, 10-12 May 1977, at the 

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 

Tarapchak, S. J., and Rubitschun, C* 1977. A comparison of "orthophosphorus" concentrations at 

an "offshore" station in southeastern Lake 

Michigan. 40th Annual Meeting of the American 

Society of Limnology and Meteorology, 20-23 

June 1977, Lansing, Michigan. 

Thomas, N. A.~, Nalepa, T. F., and Robertson, A. 

1977. The biology-chemistry program during 

IFYGL. 20th Congress of the Societas Internationalis Limnologie (SIL), 7-14 August 1977, at 

the University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, 

Denmark. 

+~ot affiliated with this laboratory. 

*No longer affiliated with this laboratory. 
CONTRACTOR 

PUBLICATIONS 

Rumer, R. R., Jr., and Crissman, R. D. 1977. Effed of 

wind and waves on ice transport in the Great 

Lakes. Report prepared for GLERL by the 

University of Delaware, Department of Civil Engineering, under Contract NO. NOAA-03-6-022- Bennett, J. R. 1977. A three-dimensional model of 352636. Lake Ontario's summer circulation. I. Comparison with observations. I. Phys. Oceanogr. 

7: 591-601. 

Bennett, J. R., and Lindstrom, E. J. 1977. A simple 

model of Lake Ontario's coastal boundary layer. 

I. Phys. Oceanogr. 7: 620-625. 

Chen, C. W., and Smith, D. J. 1977. Preliminary calibration of Lake Ontario water quality ecological 

model. Tetra Tech Report No. TC-667. Final Report prepared for GLERL by Tetra Tech, Inc., 

under Contract No. 03-6-022-35162. 

Csanady, G. T. 1976. Mean circulation in shallow seas. 

I. Geophys. Res . 81 : 53895399. 

Csanady, G. T. 1977. The coastal jet conceptual model 

in the dynamics of shallow seas. In The sea: Ideas 

and observations on progress in the studies of 

the seas, ed. E. Goldberg, pp. 117-144. New 

York: John Wiley and Sons, Inc. 

Csanady, G. T. 1977. Intermittent 'full' upwelling in 

Lake Ontario. 1. Geophys. Res. 82:397-419. 

Dobosy, R. I., and Houghton, D. D. 1977. Role of 

turbulent mixing in the dispersion of pollutants 

at the edge ofa large lake. Final Report prepared 

for GLERL by the University of WisconsinMadison, Department of Meteorology, under 

Grant No. 04-4-022-33. 

Gross, J. M. 1976. Relationship between lake-induced 

disturbances and synoptic circulation. Final Report prepared for GLERL by the University of 

Miami, Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, under Grant No. 04-5-022-23. 

Landsberg, D. R., and Scott, J. T. 1976. Report 2: 

Transport, currents, and temperature from the 

United States and Canadian IFYCL coastal chain 

studies. Report prepared for GLERL by the State 

University of New York at Albany, Atmospheric 

Sciences Research Center, under Grant Nos. 2- 

35388 and 4-35481. 

Mortimer, C. H. 1977. Internal waves observed in 

Lake Ontario during the International Field Year 

for the Great Lakes (IFYGL) 7972: 1. Descriptive 

survey and preliminary interpretation of nearinertial oscillations in terms of linear channelwave models. Special Report No. 32 prepared for 

GLERL by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Center for Great Lakes Studies, under Contract No. NOAA-3-35468. 

ZI U. 5. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1978 - 777.566