You are here:
BOTULISM E IN LAKE ERIE: ECOLOGY AND LOWER FOOD WEB TRANSFER
Citation:
BOTULISM E IN LAKE ERIE: ECOLOGY AND LOWER FOOD WEB TRANSFER. (2002).
Impact/Purpose:
This research will help determine the source of the botulism outbreaks and the links between the microbial community and fish and waterbirds, which will help EPA and other partners address the problem.
Description:
This project will determine the environmental conditions that favor botulism Type E bacteria in Lake Erie and explore whether quagga mussels are altering bottom sediment conditions to favor C. botulinum growth. Analysis of environmental parameters, including water chemistry, algal biomass, and sediment and weather conditions, will be used to identify C. botulinum's habitat preference. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) will be used to detect and identify strains of C. botulinum from samples of tissue (mussels and benthic invertebrates) and sediment.