The IISD Experimental Lakes Area, west of Vermilion Bay will have about 50% occupancy this summer, which is more than twice as many people as they had last year.
That’s because of COVID-19 health restrictions.
But Executive Director Matt McCandless says they will still be open and conducting experiments.
He says they are starting a couple of studies including what happens to microplastics over time.
“That’s why we’re going to basically be adding an enclosure in a lake to actually look what is happening to the ecosystem once these microplastics are there,” explains McCandless.
“How does it change? How do plants and animals live?”
McCandless says they will also look at the impact of anti-depressants on the fish population.
“When fish are exposed to these antidepressants it changes their behavior too. They’re a little bit slower to react so it means maybe these fish are slower to escape predators or slower to eat food.”
He adds that sewage systems don’t take these substances out of wastewater before they go into lakes and rivers.
