Author Institution: Department of Microbiology, The Ohio State UniversityWater samples from the western basin of Lake Erie were filtered to restrain suspended particles larger than 4 /xm and were analyzed for copper, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, and calcium by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Samples were collected at weekly intervals during July-August and with less frequency in September, October and November (1970). Mean seasonal and range of concentrations for elements considered did not vary with depth. Mean seasonal and range of concentrations for soluble elements from 4.5 m depth were (/xg/ml): copper, 0.091 (0.04-0.20); iron, 0.284 (0.06-0.050); zinc, 0.087 (0.00-0.11); manganese, 0.039 (0.025-0.003); magnesium, 10.38 (6.54-13.54); and calcium, 35.78 (30.30-43.60). Solvent extracted elements from suspended particulates were present in mean seasonal and range of concentrations (/ug/ml) for copper, 0.014 (0.003-0.038); iron, 0.550 (0.30-1.00); and zinc, 0.050 (0.020-0.150). Manganese content was below detectable limits, while magnesium and calcium were non-extractable. Except for calcium, the mean seasonal concentration varied for elements considered from those reported previously for either Lake Erie or for the western basin. A close association existed between the levels of soluble and particulate copper, iron and zinc
