Grantee Research Project Results
2019 Progress Report: A systems approach for understanding, predicting, and managing harmful algal blooms in Midwestern lakes
EPA Grant Number: R839270Title: A systems approach for understanding, predicting, and managing harmful algal blooms in Midwestern lakes
Investigators: Howe, Adina , Ikuma, Kaoru , Swanner, Elizabeth , Choi, Jinlyung , Liang, Xuewei , Leung, Tania , Fatka, Micah , Lee, Jaejin
Current Investigators: Howe, Adina , Ikuma, Kaoru , Swanner, Elizabeth , Lee, Jaejin
Institution: Iowa State University
EPA Project Officer: Packard, Benjamin H
Project Period: January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 (Extended to December 31, 2021)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2019 through December 31,2019
Project Amount: $760,000
RFA: Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (2017) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water Quality , Water
Objective:
The objective of the study is to use a systems approach to identify genetic and environmental factors controlling the occurrence and fate of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Iowa’s recreational lakes. We hypothesize that HAB ecology and cyanotoxin production are the predictable result of environmental factors (e.g., high nutrient conditions); that the underlying genetic markers for cyanotoxin production are taxonomically controlled; and that incipient cyanotoxin-degrading microbes are present during HABs. The proposed research aims to test these hypotheses in conjunction with the development of novel predictive tools to target future cyanotoxin monitoring and mitigation to the highest-risk recreational waters. The following objectives will be accomplished: conduct an integrated meta-analysis of physicochemical parameters and microbiome analyses of Iowa’s HAB-impacted recreational waters to develop a predictive model of HAB occurrence; develop scalable tools that can be used to rapidly monitor HABs and identify when additional cyanotoxin monitoring is necessary; identify emerging cyanotoxins within Iowa's lakes and determine the freshwater HAB species linked to these toxins and the genetic systems that control toxin production; and identify and evaluate novel toxin-degraders for the mitigation of HAB cyanotoxins.
Progress Summary:
Activities in year 2 (Y2) have been completed with satisfactory progress. For objective 1: Conduct an integrated meta-analysis of the response of HABs from Iowa's recreational waters and microbiome analyses of these water samples to develop a predictive model of HAB occurrence, we have identified and completed monitoring lakes in collaboration with Iowa DNR Beach Monitoring for two years now (2018 and 2019) and have completed microbiome and toxicity gene characterization. These results have been integrated into a predictive model, which can predict microcystin concentrations one-week ahead. For objective 2: Develop scalable tools that can be used to rapidly monitor and prevent HAB blooms, we have identified a data processing workflow to classify the samples from Iowa’s lakes based on the accuracy of their chlorophyll data, and are improving calibrations for problematic data. Notably, problematic data are associated with CyanoHABs in a subset of Iowa’s lakes, and so establishing these procedures is a high priority for the project. For objective 3, we have enriched cyanobacteria from Iowa’s lakes and are screening them with primers for four toxin-producing genes. In 2019, we measured additional toxins from the subset of lakes targeted for cyanobacterial isolations: anatoxin and saxitoxin. We are currently analyzing 16S rRNA data to determine the degree enriched organisms with the genetic capacity for toxin production are present in the sampled lakes. Objective 4 is on schedule and we have isolated and started to characterize toxin-degrading microbes.
Our key findings were dependent on Y1 and Y2 samples combined. We have developed standardized molecular methods to detect microcystin production genes, publishing methods for resolving three Cyanobacteria phyla. Additionally, we have expanded our one-week ahead prediction of microcystin concentrations greater than 1 ug/L based on a CART model to the two year dataset, where the strongest predictive inputs are still the presence of microcystin production genes and bacterial community structure. Based on isolation and cultivation from Y1 samples, we have developed a strain library of both microcystin-producing cyanobacteria and microcystin-degrading bacteria and are characterizing their phylogenetic identifies and metabolic activities. Preliminary results indicate that different mechanisms are used to degrade microcystin-LR, despite similarity in mlrA genes.
Future Activities:
Our planned activities are consistent with our original proposed research, with the exception that we are collecting, processing, and analyzing Y2 samples with IDNR to expand the power of our current dataset and more committed time for PAM method calibration & evaluation and isolation of toxin-producing cyanobacteria
Journal Articles on this Report : 1 Displayed | Download in RIS Format
| Other project views: | All 11 publications | 1 publications in selected types | All 1 journal articles |
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Lee J, Choi J, Fatka M, Swanner E, Ikuma K, Liang X, Leung T, Howe A. Improved detection of mcyA genes and their phylogenetic origins in harmful algal blooms. Water Research 2020;19:115730. |
R839270 (2019) R839270 (Final) |
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Supplemental Keywords:
ecosystem, indicators, toxics, environmental chemistry, limnology, MidwestProgress and Final Reports:
Original AbstractThe perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.