Citation:

Dugan, N., T. Sanan, S. Smith, AND D. Lytle. Cyanobacteria, Toxins and Indicators: Field Monitoring, Treatment Facility Monitoring and Treatment Studies. Presented at US EPA Region 8 Harmful Algal Bloom Workshop, Rapid City, SD, September 30 - October 01, 2015.

Impact/Purpose:

Disseminates current Agency HABs research to municipal, state and federal end users in Region 8

Description:

Cyanobacteria, formerly known as blue green algae, are an evolutionarily ancient and ubiquitous class of micro-organisms. Under a combination of conditions that include nutrient availability, warm temperatures, stagnant water and high solar irradiance, these organisms have the potential to form massive blooms. In addition to negative aesthetic effects, these blooms can pose a significant threat to drinking water treatment facilities. The bloom material itself may interfere with physical separation processes such as sedimentation and filtration. Many cyanobacteria also produce potent toxins that have been linked to a variety of acute and chronic health effects. The presence of dissolved toxins in a treatment facility that is not optimized to handle them may result in the propagation of toxins to the finished water. Cognizant of the negative impacts associated with cyanobacterial blooms, the US Environmental Protection Agency has increased its research activities in this field. Today’s presentation includes toxin data from surface water sites on the Ohio River and the western United States, toxin and cell propagation data from treatment facilities located on Lake Erie, and the results of bench-scale treatment studies designed to delve more deeply into questions raised during treatment plant monitoring.

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