Balancing Lake Superior's Carbon Budget

Project Summary

Something doesn't add up. Over half of the carbon moving out of Lake Superior cannot be attributed to a source. Theoretically, the rate at which carbon exits the system should equal its entrance. Researchers think the most likely factor boggling calculations is an underestimate of primary production, the rate at which photosynthesis converts sunlight and carbon dioxide into organic matter. This study will improve estimates of lake-wide primary production and also generate the first estimates of how much plant matter is eaten by grazing organisms. To better address the affects of climate variation, researchers will evaluate the relationships among Lake Superior's carbon budget, temperature, and light. Since all life depends upon the transfer of energy——and therefore carbon——this project will refine our understanding of how the ecosystem functions, mold future investigations by scientists, inform management decisions by natural resource agencies, and inspire public awareness about the role of large lakes in the global carbon cycle.