Graduate profile: Rebecca North

Factors controlling algae in African Great Lakes

Waterloo's Rebecca North, a PhD student, is researching the nutrients involved in the limitation of algal growth in the African Great Lakes - Tanganyika, Malawi and Victoria. Along with supervisors Dr. Stephanie Guildford and Dr. Ralph Smith, the project examines the impact that limiting nutrients has on the composition of the food web on the pelagic and littoral zones of each lake.

The challenge is to identify factors most likely to limit growth in freshwater systems subject to a range of environmental stressors. These issues are important as changing nutrient regimes threaten all freshwater systems. Obtaining and maintaining a source that will provide a consistent supply of potable water is a common goal throughout the world.