Blue-green Algae -the basics & -Washington’s monitoring program
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Jenifer Parsons Lizbeth Seebacher, Ph.D. Joan Hardy, PhD
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What are Blue-Green Algae? Bacteria, called Cyanobacteria Photosynthesize like plants and green algae Found in fresh and marine water Many different species Lake Steilacoom
Transcript of Blue-green Algae -the basics & -Washington’s monitoring program
Jenifer ParsonsLizbeth Seebacher,
Ph.D.Joan Hardy, PhD
What are Blue-Green Algae?Bacteria, called CyanobacteriaPhotosynthesize like plants and green algaeFound in fresh and marine waterMany different species
Lake Steilacoom
Aphanizomenon sp.
Botryococcus sp.
Anabaena sp. Microcystis sp.
What causes a ‘bloom’Rapid reproduction = ‘bloom’ or HABMany things can contribute
Weather Temperature Wind Rain
NutrientsLightFlow
Fiorito Lake
Why They ThriveNitrogen fixation – use atmospheric nitrogenColony formation inhibits predationCarbon, phosphorus, nitrogen storage
mechanismsGas vesicles for vertical migrationAkinete formation (“spores”)Toxin production
About those ToxinsSome species sometimes produce toxins
(poisons)When toxic can cause illness or death of people,
pets, livestock and wildlife that drink the water. Can also cause rashes on people.
Strains produce different toxins at different amounts
Toxins can have multiple variants Over 80 known microcystin variants
Cyanobacteria & Associated ToxinsToxin Group Primary Target
organ in mammalsCyanobacterial genera
Microcystins Liver Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktothrix (Oscillatoria), Nostoc, Hapalosiphon, Anabaenopsis
Nodularian Liver NodulariaAnatoxin-a Nerve Synapse Anabaena, Planktothrix
(Oscillatoria), Aphanizomenon
Aplysiatoxins Skin Lyngbya, Schizothrix, Planktothrix (Oscillatoria)
Cylindrospermopsins Liver Cylindrospermopsis, Aphanizomenon
Lyngbyatoxin-a Skin, G.I. Tract LyngbyaSaxitoxins Nerve Axons Anabaena,
Aphanizomenon, Lyngbya, Cylindrospermopsis
Lipopolysaccharide Potential irritant; affects any exposed tissue
ALL
DOH established statewide provisional recreational guidance values for Washington
Toxins Guidance level
Microcystin 6 µg / LAnatoxin-a 1 µg / LCylindrospermopsin 4.5 µg / LSaxitoxin 75 µg / L
Lake MacDonaldphoto credit M. Murphy
Drinking water – •No federal standards•WHO – 1 µg/l microcystin and cell count levels that trigger toxin analysis
Toxin levels varyWithin a lake and over time, even hourly
Some Signs of PoisoningNeurotoxins (nerve)
Fast acting, signs appear within 15-20 minPeople – numbness of lips, tingling in fingers
and toes, dizzinessAnimals – weakness, staggering, difficulty
breathing, convulsions, deathHepatotoxins (liver)
Slower, hours or daysPeople – abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomitingAnimals - death
What Washington is DoingSmall program funded by boat registration feesEstablished in 2005, administered by Ecology
ID and toxicity testing programSmall grant program (50 k max)Partnership with DOHAlgae list-serve, website
Silver LakeLone Lake
ID and Toxicity TestingReactionaryPartner with King County lab
Sample analysis Use ELISA and HPLC-FD
Database
Lake Ketchum
https://www.nwtoxicalgae.org/
https://fortress.wa.gov/ecy/coastalatlas/tools/LakeDetail.aspx
High Levels:
Microcystin 26,400 µg/l
Anatoxin-a 7,951 µg/l
Three tiered lake management protocol
Microcystis
Anabaena sp.
Current Freshwater Algae Projects
♦ Hicklin Lake Floating Islands Installation and Water Quality Investigation
♦ Lake Ketchum Algae Control Implementation
♦ Anatoxin-a Threat in Puget Sound Lakes –
unique genetic strain?
♦ Heart Lake Management Plan (FY2016)
♦ Fish Lake Management Plan (FY2016)
♦ Upper Joe’s Creek Watershed Nutrient
Reduction (FY2016)
Contacts
Dept of Ecology:Lizbeth Seebacher - [email protected] of Health:Joan Hardy – [email protected]
