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Using High Frequency Monitoring of Environmental Factors to Predict Microcystin Concentrations in a Multi-use, Inland Reservoir
Citation:
Varner, M., Joel Allen, J. Lu, C. Nietch, K. Daniels, AND D. Dionysiou. Using High Frequency Monitoring of Environmental Factors to Predict Microcystin Concentrations in a Multi-use, Inland Reservoir. 9th US Symposium on Harmful Algae, Baltimore, MD, November 13 - 17, 2017.
Impact/Purpose:
The poster will present data collected under SSWR 4.01A and UC Traineeship at a Harmful Algal Blooms conference to an expected audience of Federal, State, and Local government, water quality managers, academic researchers, and other stakeholders.
Description:
Cyanobacteria, known as blue-green algae, are photosynthetic bacteria found naturally in marine, freshwater, and estuarine ecosystems. An increase in nutrient input and changes in the climate have contributed to the proliferation of cyanobacteria, forming harmful algal blooms, or HABs. Beyond the ecosystem effects, loss of recreational use and economic impact, a serious issue associated with these blooms is the production and release of cyanotoxins. While some factors that influence the proliferation of HABs have been identified, how these factors affect blooms and the resulting production of toxins are still unknown. In order to investigate the environmental factors and nutrient concentrations that results in an increase of total microcystin, high frequency water quality data and discrete grab sampling were compared for 2015 and 2016 sampling at William H. Harsha Lake, Ohio in order to determine significant correlations between chlorophyll-a, phycocyanin, temperature, rainfall, photosynthetic active radiation, nitrogen, phosphorus, and resulting total microcystin concentrations at four sites, on Harsha Lake. A time series approach was then used to first determine significant correlations and investigate useful lag-times for management decisions such as drinking water treatment options, beach closures, and do not drink or consume warnings, to be enacted.