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Research

Through the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health, there are a number of HAB research projects going on at GLERL. Below is a listing of each OHH HAB project, the Principal Investigator, project title

Dr. Tom Croley
Spatially Distributed Surface–Subsurface Watershed Hydrology Model of Water and Materials Runoff.
Sediment, waste, pesticide, and nutrient loadings to surface and subsurface waters can result in oxygen depletion and eutrophication in receiving lakes, as well as secondary impacts such as harmful algal blooms. We have conducted material surveys on pollutants such as animal manure, soils, fertilizers, insecticides, and Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), which can contribute excessive nutrients into Saginaw Bay and other watershed in Michigan, and have the potential of triggering harmful algal blooms. All four watersheds in Saginaw Bay have been modeled. This summer the distribution of these pollutants will be simulated in Saginaw Bay. We will develop an integrated, spatially distributed, physically-based water quality model to evaluate both agricultural non-point source loadings from soil erosion, animal manure, and pesticides, and point source loadings at the watershed level. This research aids natural resource managers in understanding and identifying the movement of point and non-point source pollutants into waterbodies, and will effective management of pollution at the watershed scale.

To date we have completed discretization of 18 watersheds and compiled databases at 1 km2 resolution of elevation, slope, flow direction, soil texture, upper and lower soil thickness, water holding capacity, permeability, and land use/cover. We derived surface/channel flow roughness from slope and land use information. The watersheds are: Kalamazoo, Maumee, Sandusky, Saginaw, AuGres-Rifle, Kawkawlin-Pine, Pigeon-Wiscoggin, Tahquamenon, Grand (Erie), Genesee, Grand (Michigan), Muskegon, Clinton, Huron, Raisin, Fox, St. Joseph, and Milwaukee. We acquired and reduced all daily meteorology and flow data for all of these watersheds for the period 1948-2004 for each square kilometer of each watershed. To speed up calibrations, GLERL preprocesses all meteorology for all watershed cells and preloads it into computer memory. GLERL completed calibrations for the following 9 watersheds: Kalamazoo, Maumee, Sandusky, Saginaw, AuGres-Rifle, Kawkawlin-Pine, Pigeon-Wiscoggin, Grand (Michigan), and the St. Joseph. We completed animations of water movement on 8 of these watersheds (all but St. Joseph).

Dr. Gary Fahnenstiel, Juli Dyble (NOAA-GLERL), Pat Tester (NOAA-Beaufort), Wayne Litaker (NOAA-Beaufort), Dave Millie (Florida Institute of Oceanography),
Microcystin Concentrations in Microcystis in Saginaw Bay and Western Lake Erie and Factors Controlling Microcystin Production.
The focus of this research is on western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron), which are areas of the Great Lakes which have both historically and recently experienced blooms of harmful cyanobacterial species. The high nutrient input and shallow depths of these two systems makes them particularly susceptible to algal blooms. The purpose of this research is to assess the impact of light and phosphorus concentrations on the growth rates and microcystin production in natural Great Lakes phytoplankton communities to better understand how environmental conditions may affect microcystin cell quota. Microcystin concentrations and Microcystis cell densities were mapped in western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay during the summers of 2004 and 2005. Concentrations greater than 1 µg L-1 were commonly found at stations near the lake edges and in surface scums near docks and piers, where human exposure would be the greatest, which lead to the development of the NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health Harmful Algal Bloom Event Response Website. This data is significant in understanding the human health hazards associated with Microcystis blooms and could provide valuable input into models that would forecast the movement of HAB blooms in this region. Preliminary results from six field experiments in which Microcystis populations were subjected to a series of light and nutrient treatments suggest that environmental factors could influence cellular microcystin concentrations, although the magnitude of environmental control was limited. Of the two environmental variables, light had more control over cellular microcystin concentrations than phosphorus. Weekly postings of microcystin concentrations in western Lake Erie, Saginaw Bay and inland lakes were made available to alert the public of potential health threats during the summer months. This data is posted on the HAB Bloom Response page on the GLERL website: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HumanHealth/hab/EventResponse/

A map of microcystin concentrations over a wide spatial scale was developed for western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay for August 2004 and August 2005. These maps will be used to pinpoint areas in which the potential for human exposure to microcystin is higher and for forecasting the movement of toxic Microcystis blooms in these regions. In 2006, we intend to identify specific effects of light and P on microcystin cell quota, confirm the relationship between genetic variation in the mcyB gene and microcystin production, and determine the temporal distribution of toxic Microcystis strains in western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay.

Dr. Juli Dyble Gary Fahnenstiel (NOAA-GLERL), Pat Tester (NOAA-Beaufort), Wayne Litaker (NOAA-Beaufort), Dave Millie (Florida Institute of Oceanography)
Genetic and Environmental Factors Influencing Microcystis Bloom Toxicity
We are developing molecular tools for identifying and quantifying toxic strains of Microcystis. We will continue our Harmful Algal Bloom Event Response sampling during the summer of 2006. We will use satellite imagery to detect high regions of chlorophyll a and, when these regions develop, will sample these regions using small vessels. Samples will be assessed microscopically to determine if Microcystis is present and, if it is, microcystin concentrations will be determined using the ELISA assay that has been used successfully in our previous analyses. A PCR-based assay was developed to determine if Microcystis colonies were comprised of toxic or non-toxic strains. The proportion of toxic colonies was compared to the microcystin concentrations at a given location and preliminary data suggest that there are a higher percentage of toxic Microcystis colonies at stations with higher microcystin concentrations. The development of this assay is significant in providing the means of determining whether a Microcystis bloom is toxic and thus would be expected to have detrimental human health effects and could be useful to environmental regulators and water treatment plant operators. If there are high densities of Microcystis in inland lakes near the southern shores of Lake Michigan, microcystin concentrations will also be measured in these locations. These microcystin concentrations will continue to be posted on the HAB Bloom Response page on the GLERL website: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HumanHealth/hab/EventResponse/

Preliminary data on Microcystis colonies isolated in 2004 in Lake Erie showed that stations with lower microcystin concentrations had a lower percentage of colonies that contained the microcystin synthetase gene, mcyB. This may indicate an interesting connection between the Microcystis community genetics and the toxins produced. During August 2005, 12-20 colonies were isolated from 12 stations throughout western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay. The presence or absence of mcyB in these colonies will be assessed using a previously-developed PCR assay and compared to microcystin concentrations at these stations to evaluate the robustness of this correlation. Samples were also collected on a biweekly basis at 2 master stations (one in Saginaw Bay and one in western Lake Erie near the Toledo Light) during the summer 2005. This regular time course provides an excellent means to look at seasonal progression in the genetic composition of the Microcystis community. The low Microcystis cell concentrations may prevent a detectable signal at all time points, but we will look for mcyB sequences that are diagnostic of Microcystis in order to determine the temporal distribution of toxic Microcystis strains in western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay.

Dr. Richard Stumpf and Michelle Tomlinson, NOS/NOAA, Gary Fahnenstiel and Julianne Dyble, GLERL/NOAA, Patricia Tester and Wayne Litaker, NOS/NOAA, David Millie, Florida Institute of Oceanography,
Ecosystem research and Harmful Algal Blooms
NOAA has ' developed an operational forecast system for toxic Karenia brevis in the Gulf of Mexico. Since October 2004, the operational system has provided monitoring and forecasting support twice a week to the state of Florida. The bulletins are developed by integrating data from various ocean observing systems, including imagery from commercial and government satellites, meteorological data from NOAA observing stations, and field data collected by state and university monitoring programs. This information is synthesized and interpreted by an expert analyst, in order to determine the current and future location and intensity of Karenia brevis blooms, as well as their potential impacts on humans, marine mammals and fish. The HAB-FS has proven useful in providing an early warning of possible HAB impacts to coastal managers before they are identifed by reports of fish kills or respiratory distress at the shore.

Microcystis aeruginosa, a bloom-forming, toxic cyanobacterium has become a dominant component of the summer phytoplankton in Saginaw Bay and western Lake Erie since the mid-1990s. Expansive blooms of Microcystis have caused considerable concern to the Great Lakes region due to the use of these waters for drinking water and recreational activities. Microcystin, the toxin, has been observed in both regions above the recommended limit of 1 ug/L and poses a threat to human health. Therefore, the ability to predict the onset, distribution and transport of these blooms, through a regional HAB forecast system is crucial to help decision-makers reduce human health risks from contaminated drinking or swimming/recreational water.

Objectives

Accomplishments/progress to Date

Anticipated Products and Major Findings:
Through this project we anticipate the development of a HAB bulletin, similar to that produced in Florida, to identify and forecast Microcystis blooms in Saginaw Bay and western Lake Erie.

Dr. Pete Landrum, Duane Gossiaux (NOAA-GLERL),
Evaluation of the Hazard of Microcystis Blooms for Human Health.
This work will establish methods for analysis of microcystin at GLERL and determine the concentration in the muscle tissue of Great Lakes fish such as perch, walleye, and bass. We intend to establish methodology for measuring microcystin via ELISA at GLERL, measure the concentrations of microcystin in fish collected from areas that experience Microcystis blooms, and evaluate the potential hazard based on measured concentrations for human health effects. We have established and validated methods for measuring microcystin in fish tissue at GLERL. The average recovery for spiked samples was 91 ± 18%. Fish of opportunity were collected in May, July, August, and September 2005 from western Lake Erie by the Ohio DNR in the vicinity of Maumee Bay. The microcystin concentrations were determined in walleye and perch in mussel tissue and for the last two collections in liver tissue as well. The highest concentrations found in muscle tissue were 0.8 ng g-1 in perch and 0.53 ng g-1 in walleye, which were well below the concentration needed to exceed the WHO limit of 0.04 µg kg-1 d-1 for chronic toxicity. There was a linear relationship between the concentration in liver and the concentration in muscle in perch but no such relationship existed for walleye with the data available. No major blooms of Microcystis occurred during our sampling so concentrations measured may not have been the maximum that will occur. Additional measurements are required under bloom conditions to establish whether or not the concentrations for chronic toxicity will be exceeded when there are more concentrated blooms of Microcystis. Further, if such values are established, then relationships between bloom microcystin concentrations and fish concentrations should be established and the kinetics of loss from fish should be determined once the bloom declines to make accurate predictions of human health hazard.

Dr. George Leshkevich,
Development of a MODIS Image Product for Mapping Phycocyanin Pigment in Blue-Green Algal Blooms.
remote sensing. Although cyanobacteria produce both chlorophyll a and phycocyanin pigments, the latter is much more nearly unique to cyanobacteria than is chlorophyll a, produced by practically all types of algae, most of which are non-toxic. A multiple regression method and in situ data collection for at least two satellite overpasses has been employed to produce a phycocyanin algorithm that inputs LANDSAT TM data and outputs an image with brightness proportional to the content of phycocyanin pigment in the water in units of micrograms per liter. In a collaborative project with researchers at Bowling Green State University focusing on Lake Erie, the same methodology will be applied to MODIS data, which has a daily repeat cycle of coverage, compared to the 16-day repeat cycle of LANDSAT 7. After validation, the MODIS algorithm should result in a MODIS phycocyanin image product that can be used for the early detection of potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms.

During 2005, MODIS satellite imagery coincident with surface water samples were collected during the August and September IFYLE cruises on Lake Erie. The water samples are currently being processed for phycocyanin content after which the algorithm development can proceed using the MODIS imagery. In addition, during 2005, a summer intern has helped in the evaluation of two Internet map servers, ArcIMS and Map Server, a widely used map server developed at the University of Minnesota were installed and tested using a number of criteria.

GLERL HAB Projects

The Role of Zebra Mussels in Promoting Microcystis Blooms and Other Ecosystem Changes in Saginaw Bay and in Lake Erie

This project is not currently funded.

P.I. Henry Vanderploeg

Collaborators

This research project stems from GLERL's Saginaw Bay Zebra Mussel Program (1991-1996) which evaluated the effects of zebra mussels on ecosystem structure and function. This specific project explores hypothesized mechanisms of Microcystis bloom creation by zebra mussels using statistical and dynamic modeling.

Program Accomplishments

  1. Collated individual data sets into easy to use Microsoft Access database
    • phytoplankton
    • zooplankton
    • benthos
    • nutrients
    • physical variables
  2. Cultivated collaborations with external research partners who provided:
    • Fish data
    • Expertise in statistical and dynamic modeling
    • Diagnostic analysis on nutrient cycling using dynamic mass-balance model

Project Background

Because of their high abundance and very high filtering rates in shallow aquatic systems, zebra mussels remove a significant portion of the primary production. In some shallow experimental lakes in Europe, introduced zebra mussels have improved water clarity and macrophyte growth, and it has been argued that they can improve the quality of the algal resource base so that food web efficiency and fish production can be increased. As a result, some scientists have advocated introduction into other aquatic systems. Improvement of water clarity has been seen in Lakes Erie and St. Clair; however, in Lake St. Clair, the increased water clarity may have contributed to massive blooms of vascular macrophytes that have washed up on shore and fouled beaches. In the inner portion of Saginaw Bay, water clarity improved in midsummer of 1991 and 1993; but in 1992, 1994, and 1995 there were marked decreases in water clarity owing to massive blooms of Microcystis, a potentially toxic colonial cyanobacterium, or blue-green alga. Blooms of Microcystis also occurred in western Lake Erie in 1995 and 1998. In addition, there have been outbreaks of near-bottom blooms of the filamentous alga Spirogyra, which have later washed up on beaches.

In addition to the blooms, we were interested in describing and explaining other mussel-induced changes in the Saginaw Bay ecosystem from experimental work and extensive monitoring of nutrients, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthos during 1990-1996

From 1991-1996 GLERL carried on an extensive monitoring and experimental program to document and explain the effects of zebra mussels on the Saginaw Bay ecosystem. Much of the experimental work and description of ecosystem change for the years 1991-1993 was published in a special volume of J. Great Lakes Res. These studies documented, for example, the rapid increase in zebra mussel populations that increased water clarity, reduced chlorophyll concentration and primary production in the water column due to zebra mussel filtering.

Starting in 1994 the trend of low algal standing stocks during summer was reversed with the appearance of toxic Microcystis blooms. Much of the research effort since then has been focused on how zebra mussel selective filtering and nutrient excretion may have promoted these blooms. It was further recognized that P from some event like sediment resuspension or runoff might have been required in addition to zebra mussel selective filtering to support the levels of observed phytoplankton blooms. In late summer of 1995, a major toxic bloom of Microcystis appeared on Lake Erie. We, as members of a larger team of investigators-headed by D. Culver of Ohio State University and supported in part by the Lake Erie Protection Fund, examined the role of mussel selective filtering and nutrient excretion in promoting Microcystis blooms in both Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie through comparative experiments with mussels and seston from both systems and from selective filtering experiments with various cultured strains of Microcystis, including an isolate of the toxic Microcystis from Lake Erie.

By doing experiments with a variety of toxic and non-toxic Microcystis strains, we have shown that zebra mussels selective rejection operates for certain toxic strains and that this selection can promote toxic blooms of Microcystis in nature (Vanderploeg et al. 2001). We also have done experiments describing mussel selective filtering rate, feeding behavior (observed directly), physiological condition, and nutrient excretion at monthly intervals April - November in 1995 and 1996 at an inner and outer bay station of Saginaw Bay and comparative experimental work for Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay for 1997 to evaluate the role of seston C:N:P ratios and phytoplankton composition on feeding rate and nutrient excretion. These experiments, which show that zebra mussels are very sensitive to quality of the seston and that they can increase or decrease P limitation depending on N:P ratios of the seston, need to be published.

HAB Monitoring in Lake Erie

George Leshkevich, GLERL in collaboration with Robert Vincent, Bowling Green State University

The research will build on earlier OHH- support MODIS work and will combine in situ lake sampling with satellite imagery to further refine capabilities to identify HAB distribution in Lake Erie.

NASA Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle Lake Erie Flyover Project

George Leshkevich is working with NASA to schedule Autonomous Unmanned Vehicle (AUV) flyovers on Lake Erie in August 2006. The unmanned aircraft will carry hyperspectral sensors onboard and imagery and data collected will be compared with in situ water chemistry data collected and analyzed by GLERL scientist Gary Fahnenstiel. This project will also be integrated with sampling by the GLERL / BGSU Lake Erie HAB monitoring project.

Effects of Phosphorus levels on Microcystis levels in Gull Lake (a Michigan inland lake)

Henry Vanderploeg, GLERL, Sander Robinson, CILER

The research is an ongoing study of how varied phophorus loading in lake macrocosms affects Microcystis growth and production.

Research Presented at IAGLR 2007

Nuisance Algal Blooms
Chaired by Juli Dyble and Gary Fahnenstiel

WILHELM, S.W., RINTA-KANTO, J.M., BOYER, G.L. and BOURBONNIERE, R.A.
The ecology and biogeography of Lake Erie Mycrocystis blooms

REDISKE, R., HAGAR, J., O'KEEFE, J. and HONG, Y.
Assessment of cyanobacteria and associated toxins in drowned mouth tributaries of Lake Michigan

HAGAR, J., O'KEEFE, J., HONG, Y. and REDISKE, R.
Detection and quantification of cyanobacteria and microcystin in recreational waters of two west Michigan Lakes: Muskegon Lake and Bear Lake

FORRESTER, L.A., WATSON, S.W. and MOLOT, L.A.
Toxicity and abundance of Microcystis in the Bay of Quinte, Lake Ontario

YAKOBOWSKI, S.J. and GUILDFORD, S.J.
Environmental Influences on Microcystin Levels in Two Quiescent Bays of Lake Erie and Lake Ontario in 2006

BOYER, G.L., YANG, X. and LIBERATORE, J.A.
The Occurrence of Anatoxin-a and Other Cyanobacterial Toxins in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario: It is more than just microcystins

WILSON, A., SEDGMAN, E., GOSSIAUX, D.C., LANDRUM, P.F., POTHOVEN, S., DYBLE, J. and ROBINSON, S.D.
Preliminary assessment of microcystin accumulation in Yellow Perch during the 2006 cyanobacterial bloom season in western Lake Erie

SMITH, J.L., SCHULZ, K.L. and BOYER, G.L.
Development of an Internal Standard for the Measurement of Free Microcystins in Fish Tissue and Sediment.

HOTTO, A.M., SATCHWELL, M.F. and BOYER, G.L.
Characterization of Lake Ontario Embayments for Potential Microcystin Production and a Unique mcyA Genotype.

DYBLE, J., FAHNENSTIEL, G.L., VANDERPLOEG, H.A. and LITAKER, R.W.
Assessing the Role of Environmental Stressors on Microcystin Production in Lake Erie Microcystis Populations Using Genetic Analyses

VANDERPLOEG, H.A., DYBLE, J., WILSON, A., LIEBIG, J.R., ROBINSON, S. and MOREHEAD, N.R.
New approaches and new results provide evidence for promotion of toxic Microcystis aeruginosa blooms by dreissenid mussel selective rejection

CONROY, J.D., HEATH, R.T. and CULVER, D.A.
The Importance of a Large Tributary (Sandusky River) as a Source of Cyanobacteria to a Large Lake (Lake Erie)

LI, G., MOLOT, L.A., FINDLAY, D. and WATSON, S.
Iron Regulation of Bloom Forming Cyanobacteria Abundance

REDISKE, M. and FAHNENSTIEL, G.
In vitro Measurements of the Growth Rate of Microcystis aeruginosa in Saginaw Bay and Lake Erie

GUILDFORD, S.J., CHHUN, A., KLING, H.J., MULLER, K., POSTE, A. and YAKOWBOWSKI, S.J.
Variable Fluorescence Measurements as a Tool for Understanding Factors Controlling Microcystin Production During Cyanobacterial Blooms

YOUNG, E.B. and TUCKER, R.
Organic P Use Supports Blooms Of The Nuisance Alga Cladophora In Nearshore Lake Michigan

TOMLINSON, L.M., AUER, M.T. and BOOTSMA, H.A.
Development and Application of a New Tool in Cladophora Management: The Lake Michigan Cladophora Model

STUMPF, R.P., WYNNE, T.T., TOMLINSON, M.C., DYBLE, J., FAHNENSTIEL, G.L. and TESTER, P.A.
Developing a Satellite-Based Harmful Algal Bloom Observing System for the Great Lakes

WESTRICK, J.A.
Update on an National Preliminary Algal Toxin Occurrence Study that Monitored Source and Distribution Waters