Grantee Research Project Results
2018 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 , Swanner, Elizabeth , Choi, Jinlyung , Ikuma, Kaoru
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, 2018 through December 31,2018
Project Amount: $760,000
RFA: Freshwater Harmful Algal Blooms (2017) RFA Text | Recipients Lists
Research Category: Watersheds , Water Quality , Water
Objective:
This project explores genetic and environmental factors controlling the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Iowa's lakes. The project will produce tools and databases accessible and useful for state/local decision makers and managers dealing with HABs. This project improves monitoring and predictive tools targeting future cyanotoxin monitoring and mitigation efforts. Resulting research and tools may be applicable in other states.
Progress Summary:
We have conducted an integrated meta-analysis of HABs from Iowa's recreational waters. Based on collected data in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), we have improved biomarkers for microcystin-producing cyanobacteria, characterized microcystin producing and degrading bacteria, and established a preliminary one-week ahead predictive model for the presence of microcystin toxins. Based on our first sampling year, which had unusually high rainfall in the region, we are able to characterize the microbial communities of Iowa freshwaters. Microcystin, cylindrospermopsin and anatoxin were also detected during our sampling season. A key output of our first year is the development of novel molecular methods to detect microcystin production genes, improving upon previous methods with higher sensitivity and specificity and with the ability to resolve three main phyla of Cyanobacteria. Additionally, we have developed a one-week ahead prediction of microcystin concentrations greater than 1 mg/L based on a CART model, where the strongest predictive inputs are the presence of microcystin production genes and bacterial community structure. Based on isolation and cultivation from this year's samples, we have developed a strain library of both microcystin-producing and microcystin-degrading cyanobacteria 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:
We will continue integrating our tools with IDNR for the next sampling season. Because year 1 was associated with historically low microcystin, most likely due to high rainfall, these samples will be important to provide more power for characterizing regional freshwater HABs, our predictive models, and developing novel fluorometer real-time detection of phytoplankton. We will also continue to characterize biochemical pathways for toxin production and degradation based on isolated strains.
Journal Articles:
No journal articles submitted with this report: View all 11 publications for this projectSupplemental Keywords:
Cyanobacteria; mycA gene; model; water qualityRelevant Websites:
Genomics and Environmental Research in Microbial Systems Exit
Progress 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.