Invasive dreissenid mussel effects on phosphorus dynamics in Lake Ontario: insights from integrated hydrodynamic–ecological modeling

Invasive dreissenid mussels (Dreissena polymorpha and Dreissena bugensis) have a profound effect on the total phosphorus (TP) budget in Lake Ontario, which turn influences ecological processes such as resurgence of benthic alga Cladophora. A validated three-dimensional integrated hydrodynamic modeling framework is applied to quantify impact that dreissenids spatial species distribution TP lake. Model results for April September 2013 show decrease water column by about 1812 metric tonnes, 60% tributary loading This reduction affects other controlling its distribution. Physical transport from nearshore offshore waters reduced, amount involved chemical reactions while processed biological transformations increased. study provides first attempt changes Ontario using numerical modeling, findings this can be generalized lakes with similar conditions.