Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie - HAB Bulletin
24 September 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
17 September 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
10 September 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
3 September 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
27 August 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
20 August 2009 Bulletin (.pdf)
Background
Microcystis and Microcystin
The recent increases in cyanobacterial HABs in the Great Lakes has caused significant concern
for human and ecosystem health due to the production of toxins by bloom species. In the Great
Lakes, Microcystis often forms dense blooms that can discolor the water, cause taste
and odor issues in drinking water and affect public health and the health of wildlife, livestock
and domestic animals through their potential to produce the hepatotoxin microcystin
(Brittain et al. 2000, Carmichael 1994, 1997, Vanderploeg et al. 2001). Preliminary studies
have documented the presence of microcystins in the Great Lakes, at times exceeding the
recommended limit of 1 µg L-1 of microcystin established by the World
Health Organization for drinking water supplies (Brittain et al. 2000, Vanderploeg et al. 2001).
The increase in large Microcystis blooms in recent years has caused considerable concern
due to the dependence on these waters as a resource and the health risks attributable to
microcystins. Local sampling has verified the bloom, and water treatment managers have
also reported foul odor and taste in local waters.
There have been multiple cases of gastrointestinal distress, skin irritation and nausea as a result
of recreational exposure to microcystins. Recent reports (Backer et al. 2008) have indicated
that microcystins can be aerosolized, making recreational activities such as boating and jet-skiing
a higher risk of exposure.
+ Microcystin concentrations for Western Lake Erie
+ Toledo Channel Marker #2 Webcam
Webcam images of Microcystis bloom from Toledo Lt. webcam
August 13, 2009
August 31, 2009
Experimental HAB Bulletin
An experimental HAB bulletin has been developed to provide a weekly forecast for Microcystis blooms in western Lake Erie to local health officials, water treatment managers, natural resource managers and several research scientists in the area. The bulletin is the first Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin issued in the Great Lakes and the second in the Nation and is a result of cooperation between researchers at NOAA Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment (NOS) and the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (OAR), with data from the NOAA CoastWatch Program, the Great Lakes Operational Forecast System and the National Buoy Data Center. Funding is provided by the Great Lakes Center of Excellence in Oceans and Human Health and the Centers for Disease Control. This experimental forecast is not yet a component of NOAA’s Operational HAB forecast system.
Using MERIS satellite imagery (distributed by NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service Coastwatch program), Wynne et al. (2008) has documented that surface reflectance at 681nm may be a useful indicator of Microcystis concentrations in the Great Lakes and the NOAA-NOS team (R. Stumpf lead) has developed an algorithm for determining cyanobacterial cell concentrations from surface reflectance. Data from the MERIS imagery was then used as input data into a Lagrangian particle tracking model with 2D horizontal transport that also allows for wind-induced movement of cells. This model was incorporated with the Great Lakes Forecast System developed by D. Schwab (GLERL), D. Beletsky (CILER) and colleagues. Satellite imagery is monitored on a weekly basis and when there are significant cyanobacterial blooms present, their location and approximate densities are input into this tracking model in order to predict the movement of the bloom. In order to test the accuracy of these predictions, small boats are used to sample transects across the regions where the blooms were first detected by satellite imagery and where they were predicted to be transported to. Microcystis cell counts are also included in the HAB bulletin, in addition to a summary and analysis of the forecasted bloom.
A “true color” satellite image of Lake Erie from 25 Aug 2009 (MODIS imagery on
Terra satellite). Note the extensive algal bloom in western Lake Erie.”
Close up pictures of Microcystis bloom in western Lake Erie in summer 2009, taken from boat
Cited References
Backer, L.C., W. Carmichael, B. Kirkpatrick, C. Williams, M. Irvin, Y. Zhou, T.B. Johnson, K, Nierenberg, V.R. Hill, S.M. Kieszak, and Y.S. Cheng. 2008. Recreational exposure to low concentrations of microcystins during an algal bloom in a small lake. Mar. Drugs 6:389-406.
Brittain, S.M., Wang, J., Babcock-Jackson, L., Carmichael, W.W., Rinehart, K.L.and Culver, D.A., 2000. Isolation and characterization of microcystins, cyclic heptapeptide hepatotoxins from a Lake Erie strain of Microcystis aeruginosa. J. Great Lakes Res. 26: 241-249.
Carmichael, W.W., 1994. The toxins of cyanobacteria. Sci. Am. 270: 78-86.
Carmichael, W.W., 1997. The cyanotoxins. Advances in Botanical Research 27: 211-240.
Vanderploeg, H.A., Liebig, J.R., Carmichael, W.W., Agy, M.A., Johengen, T.H., Fahnenstiel, G.L.and Nalepa, T.F., 2001. Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha) selective filtration promoted toxic Microcystis blooms in Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) and Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 58: 1208-1221.
Wynne, T., R. Stumpf, M. C. Tomlinson, R. A. Warner, P. A. Tester, J. Dyble, and G. Fahnenstiel. 2008. Relating spectral shape to cyanobacteria blooms in the Laurentian Great Lakes. Int. J. Remote Sensing. 29:3665-3672.
For more information, please contact:
Juli Dyble Bressie or, Michelle Tomlinson ()
