scholarly journals Cyanobacterial Toxins of the Laurentian Great Lakes, their Toxicological Effects, and Numerical Limits in Drinking Water

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd R. Miller ◽  
Lucas J. Beversdorf ◽  
Chelsea A. Weirich ◽  
Sarah L. Bartlett
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Great Lakes ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Reproductive Organs ◽  
Bioactive Molecules ◽  
Laurentian Great Lakes ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Toxicological Effects

Cyanobacteria are ubiquitous phototrophic bacteria that inhabit diverse environments across the planet. They dominate many eutrophic lakes impacted by excess nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) forming dense accumulations of biomass known as cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms or cyanoHABs. Their dominance in eutrophic lakes is attributed to a variety of unique adaptations including N and P concentrating mechanisms, N fixation, colony formation that inhibits predation, vertical movement via gas vesicles, and the production of toxic or otherwise bioactive molecules. While some of these molecules have been explored for their medicinal benefits, others are potent toxins harmful to humans, animals, and other wildlife known as cyanotoxins. In humans these cyanotoxins affect various tissues, including the liver, central and peripheral nervous system, kidneys, and reproductive organs among others. They induce acute effects at low doses in the parts-per-billion range and some are tumor promoters linked to chronic diseases such as liver and colorectal cancer. The occurrence of cyanoHABs and cyanotoxins in lakes presents challenges for maintaining safe recreational aquatic environments and the production of potable drinking water. CyanoHABs are a growing problem in the North American (Laurentian) Great Lakes basin. This review summarizes information on the occurrence of cyanoHABs in the Great Lakes, toxicological effects of cyanotoxins, and appropriate numerical limits on cyanotoxins in finished drinking water.

scholarly journals Nitrogen cycling in Sandusky Bay, Lake Erie: oscillations between strong and weak export and implications for harmful algal blooms

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (9) ◽  
pp. 2891-2907 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kateri R. Salk ◽  
George S. Bullerjahn ◽  
Robert Michael L. McKay ◽  
Justin D. Chaffin ◽  
Nathaniel E. Ostrom
Keyword(s):  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Lake Erie ◽  
N Uptake ◽  
N Fixation ◽  
N Budget ◽  
N2o Production ◽  
N Removal ◽  
Uptake Rates ◽  
N Loading

Abstract. Recent global water quality crises point to an urgent need for greater understanding of cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) and their drivers. Nearshore areas of Lake Erie such as Sandusky Bay may become seasonally limited by nitrogen (N) and are characterized by distinct cHAB compositions (i.e., Planktothrix over Microcystis). This study investigated phytoplankton N uptake pathways, determined drivers of N depletion, and characterized the N budget in Sandusky Bay. Nitrate (NO3-) and ammonium (NH4+) uptake, N fixation, and N removal processes were quantified by stable isotopic approaches. Dissimilatory N reduction was a relatively modest N sink, with denitrification, anammox, and N2O production accounting for 84, 14, and 2 % of sediment N removal, respectively. Phytoplankton assimilation was the dominant N uptake mechanism, and NO3- uptake rates were higher than NH4+ uptake rates. Riverine N loading was sometimes insufficient to meet assimilatory and dissimilatory demands, but N fixation alleviated this deficit. N fixation made up 23.7–85.4 % of total phytoplankton N acquisition and indirectly supports Planktothrix blooms. However, N fixation rates were surprisingly uncorrelated with NO3- or NH4+ concentrations. Owing to temporal separation in sources and sinks of N to Lake Erie, Sandusky Bay oscillates between a conduit and a filter of downstream N loading to Lake Erie, delivering extensively recycled forms of N during periods of low export. Drowned river mouths such as Sandusky Bay are mediators of downstream N loading, but climate-change-induced increases in precipitation and N loading will likely intensify N export from these systems.

Airborne hyperspectral and satellite imaging of harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes Region: Successes in sensing algal blooms

2019 ◽  
Vol 45 (3) ◽  
pp. 405-412 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Lekki ◽  
Steve Ruberg ◽  
Caren Binding ◽  
Robert Anderson ◽  
Andrea Vander Woude
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Great Lakes Region ◽  
Satellite Imaging

Aerosol Emissions from Great Lakes Harmful Algal Blooms

2017 ◽  
Vol 52 (2) ◽  
pp. 397-405 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathaniel W. May ◽  
Nicole E. Olson ◽  
Mark Panas ◽  
Jessica L. Axson ◽  
Peter S. Tirella ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Aerosol Emissions

scholarly journals In-situ electrochemical Fe(VI) for removal of microcystin-LR from drinking water: comparing dosing of the ferrate ion by electrochemical and chemical means

2018 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 414-424 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Dubrawski ◽  
M. Cataldo ◽  
Z. Dubrawski ◽  
A. Mazumder ◽  
D. P. Wilkinson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Oxidation ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Normal Operation ◽  
Small Water ◽  
Initial Ph ◽  
Contaminate Drinking Water ◽  
Small Water Systems

Abstract Harmful algal blooms (HAB) release microtoxins that contaminate drinking water supplies and risk the health of millions annually. Crystalline ferrate(VI) is a powerful oxidant capable of removing algal microtoxins. We investigate in-situ electrochemically produced ferrate from common carbon steel as an on-demand alternative to crystalline ferrate for the removal of microcystin-LR (MC-LR) and compare the removal efficacy for both electrochemical (EC) and chemical dosing methodologies. We report that a very low dose of EC-ferrate in deionized water (0.5 mg FeO42− L−1) oxidizes MC-LR (MC-LR0 = 10 μg L−1) to below the guideline limit (1.0 μg L−1) within 10 minutes' contact time. With bicarbonate or natural organic matter (NOM), doses of 2.0–5.0 mg FeO42− L−1 are required, with lower efficacy of EC-ferrate than crystalline ferrate due to loss of EC-ferrate by water oxidation. To evaluate the EC-ferrate process to concurrently oxidize micropollutants, coagulate NOM, and disinfect drinking water, we spiked NOM-containing real water with MC-LR and Escherichia coli, finding that EC-ferrate is effective at 10.0 mg FeO42− L−1 under normal operation or 2.0 mg FeO42− L−1 if the test water has initial pH optimized. We suggest in-situ EC-ferrate may be appropriate for sporadic HAB events in small water systems as a primary or back-up technology.

scholarly journals Associations between chlorophyll a and various microcystin-LR health advisory concentrations

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Hollister ◽  
Betty J. Kreakie
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Advisory ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Recreational Use

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are associated with a wide range of adverse health effects that stem mostly from the presence of cyanotoxins. To help protect against these impacts, several health advisory levels have been set for some toxins. In particular, one of the more common toxins, microcystin-LR, has several advisory levels set for drinking water and recreational use. However, compared to other water quality measures, field measurements of microcystin-LR are not commonly available due to cost and advanced understanding required to interpret results. Addressing these issues will take time and resources. Thus, there is utility in finding indicators of microcystin-LR that are already widely available, can be estimated quickly and in situ, and used as a first defense against high concentrations of microcystin-LR. Chlorophyll a is commonly measured, can be estimated in situ, and has been shown to be positively associated with microcystin-LR. In this paper, we use this association to provide estimates of chlorophyll a concentrations that are indicative of a higher probability of exceeding select health advisory concentrations for microcystin-LR. Using the 2007 National Lakes Assessment and a conditional probability approach, we identify chlorophyll a concentrations that are more likely than not to be associated with an exceedance of a microcystin-LR health advisory level. We look at the recent US EPA health advisories for drinking water as well as the World Health Organization levels for drinking water and recreational use and identify a range of chlorophyll a thresholds. A 50% chance of exceeding one of the microcystin-LR advisory concentrations of 0.3, 1, 1.6, and 2 g/L is associated with chlorophyll a concentration thresholds of 23.4, 67.0, 83.5, and 105.8, respectively. When managing for these various microcystin-LR levels, exceeding these reported chlorophyll a concentrations should be a trigger for further testing and possible management action.

scholarly journals Associations between chlorophyll a and various microcystin health advisory concentrations

F1000Research ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey W. Hollister ◽  
Betty J. Kreakie
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Harmful Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Field Measurements ◽  
World Health ◽  
Health Advisory ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Recreational Use

Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cHABs) are associated with a wide range of adverse health effects that stem mostly from the presence of cyanotoxins. To help protect against these impacts, several health advisory levels have been set for some toxins. In particular, one of the more common toxins, microcystin, has several advisory levels set for drinking water and recreational use. However, compared to other water quality measures, field measurements of microcystin are not commonly available due to cost and advanced understanding required to interpret results. Addressing these issues will take time and resources. Thus, there is utility in finding indicators of microcystin that are already widely available, can be estimated quickly and in situ, and used as a first defense against high levels of microcystin. Chlorophyll a is commonly measured, can be estimated in situ, and has been shown to be positively associated with microcystin. In this paper, we use this association to provide estimates of chlorophyll a concentrations that are indicative of a higher probability of exceeding select health advisory concentrations for microcystin. Using the 2007 National Lakes Assessment and a conditional probability approach, we identify chlorophyll a concentrations that are more likely than not to be associated with an exceedance of a microcystin health advisory level. We look at the recent US EPA health advisories for drinking water as well as the World Health Organization levels for drinking water and recreational use and identify a range of chlorophyll a thresholds. A 50% chance of exceeding one of the specific advisory microcystin concentrations of 0.3, 1, 1.6, and 2 μg/L is associated with chlorophyll a concentration thresholds of 23, 68, 84, and 104 μg/L, respectively. When managing for these various microcystin levels, exceeding these reported chlorophyll a concentrations should be a trigger for further testing and possible management action.

Odorous Substances and Cyanobacterial Toxins in Prairie Drinking Water Sources

1992 ◽  
Vol 25 (2) ◽  
pp. 147-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. L. Kenefick ◽  
S. E. Hrudey ◽  
E. E. Prepas ◽  
N. Motkosky ◽  
H. G. Peterson
Keyword(s):  
Drinking Water ◽  
Water Samples ◽  
Algal Blooms ◽  
Algal Biomass ◽  
Cyanobacterial Blooms ◽  
Eutrophic Lakes ◽  
Cyanobacterial Toxins ◽  
Eutrophic Water ◽  
Odorous Substances ◽  
Water Uses

Algal blooms in eutrophic lakes have been regarded by some as primarily an aesthetic nuisance for recreational and drinking water uses despite well documented incidents of livestock and wildlife poisoning attributed to cyanobacterial toxins. A survey was conducted of three eutrophic, water supply lakes and eight rural dugouts experiencing cyanobacterial blooms. Biomass was characterized for dominant cyanobacterial genera and analyses were conducted for the hepatotoxins, microcystin LR and RR and the neurotoxin, anatoxin-a. Some water samples collected simultaneously were screened for geosmin, 2-methylisoborneol and β-cyclocitral. Results showed that microcystin LR (LD50 of 50 µg/kg in mice) was present in concentrations up to 500 µg/g of algal biomass and microcystin LR levels were generally related to the proportion of Microcystis in the collected algal biomass. There was no relationship between the presence of microcystin LR and the presence of any of the odour compounds. Consequently, cyanobacterial odour-causing compounds in water did not provide reliable warning of the presence of the microcystin LR in these cyanobacterial blooms.

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