Lake Winnipeg faces various environmental challenges such as zebra mussels, microplastics from wastewater, E. coli concerns, and toxic algal blooms visible from space. Professor Emily Chase from the University of Winnipeg has highlighted the importance of understanding the role of viruses in infecting microalgae in Lake Winnipeg to grasp the overall health of the freshwater basin.
Last summer, Prof. Chase initiated research on virus-microalgae interactions, shedding light on the significance of these microscopic organisms in the lake’s ecosystem. While microalgae are essential as energy sources and food for various organisms, concerns arise about climate change exacerbating imbalances in Lake Winnipeg, leading to toxic algal blooms.
Phosphorus and nitrogen runoff from agriculture and wastewater are major contributors to these blooms, earning Lake Winnipeg the title of the most threatened lake in the world in 2013. The impact of viruses on algal bloom dynamics remains unclear, but researchers suspect viruses may play a role in bloom collapses, making the water safer for recreational activities.
Drawing from her research in the Mediterranean Sea and experience as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, Prof. Chase emphasizes the need to understand viruses to predict the lake’s future state amidst climate change. Lake Erie’s diminishing ice cover serves as a warning for Lake Winnipeg, indicating potential threats to walleye stocks and recreational activities.
As summers lengthen, the risk of toxic algae cycles intensifies, with viruses possibly triggering bloom collapses and toxin releases. Prof. Chase’s work aims to enhance Manitoba’s preparedness for the evolving Lake Winnipeg ecosystem under the influence of viruses, algae, and climate change. Scott Higgins from the International Institute of Sustainable Development praises Prof. Chase’s research for filling crucial knowledge gaps in understanding virus-algae interactions and their implications on the lake’s ecosystem.