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Cyanobacteria in sediments of Harsha Lake
Citation:
Lindquist, Alan, Joel Allen, K. Daniels, M. Varner, A. Balz, AND J. Lu. Cyanobacteria in sediments of Harsha Lake. CyanoSed: A workshop on Benthic Cyanobacteria and Cyanotoxins, Cincinnati, Ohio, August 06 - 07, 2018.
Impact/Purpose:
This presentation is designed to inform the audience that there is an ongoing research project at lake William H. Harsha. The portion of research being presented concerns a survey of benthic cyanobacteria and nutrients in sediments. Ultimately, this information will be correlated with other data from this field site, but this presentation, is focused solely on the presentation of the preliminary sediment data. Harmful algal blooms recur, sometimes annually, or less fren an annual basis. Often the cyanobacterial species responsible for algal blooms disappear from the water column following a bloom. There is evidence that these bacteria can survive on the top layer of sediment, and serve as seed beds for future algal blooms. Also, nutrients (carbon, phosphorous, and nitrogen) in the water column interact with nutrients in the sediment and are controlling factors in permitting algal blooms. This presentation presents information on the presence and concentration of harmful cyanobacteria and nutrients in the sediments of Lake William H Harsha to allow for a greater understanding of these important factors in the occurrence of harmful algal blooms.
Description:
In 2015 and 2016 sediment samples were collected from several locations in Lake William H. Harsha. Sediment samples from 2015 were analyzed for DNA associated with cyanobacteria. Samples from both years were assayed for a variety of physico-chemical characteristics. Samples were collected on varying schedules which was determined based on the availability of resources, and factors such as weather, equipment malfunctions, etc. These physico-chemical parameters included nutrient concentrations, and particle sizes. There are distinct seasonal trends in these parameters, as well as distinct differences between the sampling locations. The data indicate that further benefit could be obtained by following these parameters in future seasons, and by expanding the number of sites surveyed, and finally by correlating the information with other data collected from the water column.