700 international researchers gather for Great Lakes Research Conference

Invasive species, toxic chemical contamination and the safety of eating Great Lakes fish are some of the challenges being addressed by researchers and government at a major conference on Great Lakes research being held at the University of Toronto from Monday, May 17 to Friday, May 21.

Among the speakers is Cameron Davis, Senior Advisor on the Great Lakes to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P.Jackson. U.S. President Barack Obama's administration has committed $2 billion to Great Lakes restoration and Davis will discuss how Canada and the United States can work together to achieve this common goal.

Murray Charlton, a former senior research scientist and policy advisor at Environment Canada will discuss lake eutrophication -- what happens to lakes when excessive nutrients such as algae choke our beaches and John Smol, Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change at Queen's University, will discuss the impact of long-term environmental change on lakes.

Scientific presentations throughout the week will address a wide range of topics including the fate and effects of currently used pesticides, the impact of climate change on environment and ecosystems of the Great Lake regions and source water pollution.

WHAT: 53rd International Association of Great Lakes Research Conference

WHEN: May 17 - 21

WHERE: University of Toronto, various buildings clustered around Medical Sciences Building, 1 King's College Circle.

Provided by University of Toronto