BackgroundEnvironment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) recently renewed its commitment to funding science activities to address nutrient issues in Lake Winnipeg. One component of this work requires taxonomic analysis of zooplankton and phytoplankton from selected nearshore zones throughout Lake Winnipeg. This information, in conjunction with water quality and other data will be used to assess change within Lake Winnipeg as progress is made in resolving the excessive nutrient issue. This requires ECCC to engage one or more laboratories to undertake the taxonomic analysis of samples from Lake Winnipeg over the next three years.
In addition, phytoplankton samples may also be periodically collected in the Great Lakes to support the nutrient assessment.
Scope of Work:Samples from Lake Winnipeg was and will be collected between May and October from 2017 through 2021 by ECCC. Approximately 66 samples will be collected for each analysis (phytoplankton and zooplankton) annually over 3 field seasons. There are currently approximately 90 samples of each matrix in storage awaiting analysis.
Up to 100 phytoplankton samples may also be collected in a given year in the Great Lakes.
The taxonomic and related services required to process and identify the collected samples are outlined below for 2 analysis streams. The taxonomic and related services include sample receiving, sample processing, quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC), shipping and where required sample return.
