Abstract

Physical limnological research relevant to water quality issues conducted in Lake Ontario over the last two decades is presented. The surface heat and turbulent fluxes, energy balance and circulation during the thermal bar period, summer stratification and certain episodic events like upwelling and downwelling have been examined using several time series data sets of meteorology, horizontal velocity and temperature profiles in Lake Ontario. The coastal boundary layer characteristics are defined based on both current meter and drifter trajectories along the north of Lake Ontario. In addition, vertical and horizontal mixing of water within the coastal boundary layer is described. Examples are provided to show the impact of the physical regime on water quality and the aquatic ecosystem.