A global database of chlorophyll and water chemistry in freshwater lakes

Chlorophyll is an important variable used to assess water quality in freshwater lakes around the globe. Using a systematic review of the peer-reviewed literature and online repositories, we compiled a database of chlorophyll values. When available, we also aggregated data on lake morphology and water chemistry. Over 3000 published manuscripts were reviewed and 15 online datasets. We obtained 24,483 unique survey in 9625 lakes and 72 countries. Every survey instance had chlorophyll values, and when available other water chemistry variables such as total phosphorus, total nitrogen, dissoved organic carbon, and dissolved oxygen. Within this database, there are files that correspond to the studies that were examined, lake morphology, water chemistry, chlorophyll concentration, and lake information (e.g. location, country, name). The geospatial coordinates that are supply allow for inclusion of variables with raster data such as climate projections, land use, and topography. This dataset can be used for improving our understanding of freshwater equality in response to global change and for management to improve water quality