An analysis of long-term phytoplankton dynamics in Muskegon Lake, a Great Lakes Area of Concern

►Samples were analyzed to detect patterns in phytoplankton and environmental variables. ►Ecological conditions for occurrence of toxic Microcystis aeruginosa were explored. ►There were distinct spatial and temporal patterns in phytoplankton biovolume and species. ►Important variables included sulfate, conductance, dissolved solids, and chloride. ►Results predicted increasing M. aeruginosa with increasing total Kjeldahl nitrogen.