Community Development and Applied Economics Professor Asim Zia is receiving media coverage after the publication of a research paper entitled, “Climate Change-Legacy Phosphorus Synergy Hinders Lake Response to Aggressive Water Policy Targets.” The research investigated the impacts that climate change is having on the ability to meet water quality standards in Lake Champlain.
The research used a novel integrated assessment model (IAM) “that simulates phosphorus and potentially harmful cyanobacteria bloom dynamics in Missisquoi Bay of Lake Champlain, under alternate nutrient reduction and climate change scenarios.”
The combination of “legacy” nutrients such as phosphorus accumulated over years in lake bottom sediments, and warming water temperatures are responsible for more frequent occurrences of toxic blue-green algae blooms in the lake. This is creating difficulties in meeting the standards for improving water quality set by policy makers.
Read the publication in Earth’s Future journal here – https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1029/2021EF002234
Listen to Zia’s July 20, 2022 interview for “Algae blooms, invasive species threaten Lake Champlain’s health” on Vermont Edition.