Sonya CarlsonBeach Program Coordinator

603-271-0698scarlson@des.nh.gov

What are Cyanobacteria?

Formerly blue-green algae

Single cell life w/o a nuclear membrane

Contain photosynthetic pigmentsChlorophyll-a (green) and Phycobilins (blue)

Can produce toxins

Common NH toxin producers

ToxinsCyanobacteria produce biotoxins

collectively referred to as cyanotoxins

Biotoxins: a toxin produced by a living organism

(plant, fungi, animal, bacterium)

Toxins stored in cells are released when cell dies

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Health effects of cyanotoxins

Microcystins Liver Acute Exposure: Compromises liver function Chronic Exposure: Doses cause cancer

Anatoxions Nerve connectionsConvulsions; death of dogs & birds

β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (BMAA)NervesMaybe linked to neurological diseases

What Accelerates Growth Rate

Sunlight

Warm water (hot summer days)

Calm, stagnant conditions

Phosphorus & Nitrogen

Possible Sources:

Stormwater RunoffWaterfowl

Septic systemsDomestic animals

AgricultureFertilizers

Construction

Phosphorus is a problem!

Problems with Blooms

Unsightly

Taste Problems

Odor Problems

Fish Kills

Toxins

Webster Lake, Franklin, 2007

Examples of bloom

Examples of bloom

Observe Blue-Green scum on water body &

collect sample

Microscopic analysis determines if

cyanobacteria is dominant in sample

Post Beach Advisory orLake Warning

Samples with >50% toxin-producing cyanobacteria

Beach Advisory issued -Manager contacted -Signs posted

ORLake Warning if no beach or bloom far from a beach -Reporting individuals

contacted

Reports of blooms in NH Lakes since the 1960's

Reports of blue-green slimes, mats, and flecks in lakes have been increasing

Reporting History

Cyanobacteria Reporting Summary2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Beach Advisories 1 3 5 6 11 14 15 10Lake Warnings — — — — — 15 10 12

Beaches with Advisories 1 3 4 5 11 12 12 10Waterbodies with Warnings or

Advisories 1 3 4 5 11 20 21 17

Beaches with multiple advisories:

TOWN LAKE TOWN LAKE

Amherst Baboosic Lake TB Northfield Sondogardy Pond

Berlin York Pond Pelham Long Pond

Henniker French Pond Rindge Pearly Pond

Hudson Robinson Pond Sandown Phillips Pond

New London Little Sunapee Lake Weare Chase Park TB

Newton Country Pond Winchester Forest Lake TB

(More than 1 posted advisory since 2003)

Lakes with multiple warnings

Bow Lake, Northwood, 2006

TOWN LAKE SEASONSBarnstead Locke Lake 2009, 2010Canaan Goose Pond 2009Dover, Somersworth Willand Pond 2009, 2010Kingston Country Pond 2008Rindge Lake Monomonac 2008, 2009, 2010Sandown Showell Pond 2008, 2010Winchester Forest Lake 2008, 2010

Lake WarningBegun in 2008, warnings alert of cyanobacteria blooms on lakes without designated beaches or for areas of a lake away from the designated beach.

Advisories & Warnings on http://des.nh.gov

After clicking on “Beach Advisory”

Sign up for email: http://des.nh.gov

After clicking on “Subscribe e-news”

Twitter.com/NHDES_Beaches

Sampled weekly until < 50%

Manager contactedWeb posting removedTwitter updatedEmail sent

Advisory & Warning Removal

Mandarin, FLORIDA!

Blooms typically have a patchy distribution

Potential Pathways of Exposure to Cyanotoxins

Direct contact with

bloom

Dinking water

Inhalation of aerosolized

toxins

Ingestion of food

Cyanotoxins

How to Respond: To a bloom sighting…

To a bloom exposure…

Report a scum seen on a pond…Call NHDES Cyanobacteria Hotline: 419-9229

RESPONSE: Pet owners If you seethis sign…

1. Keep pet out of the water

3. Use bottled water & water dish

4. Wash your pet if it goes in the water.

2. Do NOT let pet drink the water

5. Towel off any large cyanobacteria clumps

Wash your body parts that contacted water with a scum

Human Lake-Users:

Report a scum…

Stay out of the water until it scum is gone

IF you feel ill…tell your doctor you may have been exposed to cyanobacteria

Call NHDES Cyanobacteria Hotline: 419-9229 Call the local beach manager/ town office

You can’t. There is nothing we can add to the water. If the cells are killed, any toxins in the cells are released.

Prevention is the key!

Sonicators

How to “Treat” or “Get rid of it”

CopperSulfate

Halfmoon Pond, Kingston