Grantee Research Project Results

2021 Progress Report: Development of a multi-scale management tool for predicting and mitigating HABs in Ohio River watersheds

EPA Grant Number: R839269
Title: Development of a multi-scale management tool for predicting and mitigating HABs in Ohio River watersheds
Investigators: Sullivan, Mažeika , Pintor, Lauren , Zhao, Kaiguang
Current Investigators: Sullivan, Mažeika , Atristain, Miren , Pintor, Lauren , Zhao, Kaiguang
Institution: The Ohio State University
EPA Project Officer: Ludwig-Monty, Sarah
Project Period: January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2020 (Extended to December 31, 2024)
Project Period Covered by this Report: January 1, 2021 through December 31,2021
Project Amount: $681,343
RFA: Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (2017) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water Quality , Water

Objective:

The overarching objective of this project is to develop a watershed classification system to diagnose and manage harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the upper Ohio River basin. The goal is a multi-scale, hierarchical tool that links climate and land-use with river physicochemical gradients and ecological condition to predict and prevent HABs. Our overarching hypothesis is that the timing and magnitude of HABs are related to variability in anthropogenic and natural factors in watersheds. Our objectives are to: (1) Determine in-stream characteristics related to distribution, duration, and intensity of HABs, (2) Determine local climate and land-use features strongly linked with HABs, (3) Assess the ability of our system to scale up to large watersheds, and (4) Develop and validate a classification system for use by communities and local and state agencies to predict and prevent HABs.

Progress Summary:

Overall, we are making strong progress towards completing project goals. We were able to significantly advance field and laboratory work on the project after many delays and complications related to COVID-19 in previous years.

During 2021, we collected additional field data on a suite of stream physiochemical parameters, including water chemistry, nutrients, and stream geomorphic characteristics at stream and reservoir sites across 7 catchments in Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Indiana. In total, our study consists of 81 sites that capture a range of land-use types. Continuous monitoring multiparameter water-quality sondes were deployed in two of the study lakes. Sondes were installed in buoys and programmed to collect measurements of temperature, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen, organic matter, and chlorophyll every 30 minutes. Thus, we continue to collect time-series data that will assist in identifying the dynamics and drivers behind nutrient enrichment and harmful algal blooms. We have also continued to conduct ecological sampling, including fish, aquatic macroinvertebrates, and algae.

To measure microcystin concentrations throughout the catchments, solid phase adsorption toxin tracking (SPATT) bags from all catchments – Monroe (12), Patoka (14), Taylorsville (5), Barren River (19), Indian Lake (17), Hoover (5), Burr Oak (38) – were sent for analysis of microcystin congeners (MC-LF, MC-LR, MC-LY, MC-RR, MC-LW, MC-YR) in addition to Cylindrospermopsin, Saxitoxin, Anatoxin, and Euglenophycin using LC-MS. In 2021, 200+ SPATT samples were collected in stream and reservoir sites from July to October. A subset of these samples will be sent for analysis during spring 2022.

Isotope samples measuring δ18O of phosphate (δ18OP) in water have been collected at all sites, as well as from potential point sources in 2 of our 7 watersheds. Modeling to date shows strong potential for this method to help target critical nutrient sources areas. Currently, we are waiting for additional samples to be analyzed. We also collected water samples at all stream and reservoir sites and analyzed them for δ18O of water in order to calculate isotopic equilibrium values expected for each reservoir. In 2022, we plan to collect point-source samples from the remaining 5 watersheds.

In addition to multiple analyses related to the drivers of nutrient enrichment, we have begun to construct our global model using statistical modeling to seek predictive relationships from data, which will serve as the basis for our classification system.

Future Activities:

To the extent possible, geomorphic, physicochemical, and ecological data collection will conclude during the 2022 field season. Data buoys will be deployed during the spring, summer, and autumn of the next two years at Barren River, Taylorsville, and Indian Lake lakes/reservoirs. Isotopic sampling and model building will continue across all catchments. An initial classification system will be developed and tested to predict harmful algal bloom regimes.

Journal Articles:

No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 21 publications for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

catchments, cumulative effects, ecological condition, ecosystem, habitat, EPA Regions 4 and 5, Midwest, scaling, sediments, vulnerability

Relevant Websites:

The Ohio State University STRIVE Lab Exit

Progress and Final Reports:

Original Abstract

The 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.