Doll, J. C.

Ewing, C.

Jacquemin, Stephen J.

Morden, M.

English

CORE

Wright State University CORE Scholar Biological Sciences Faculty Publications Biological Sciences 2021 Importance and Challenges of Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St Marys Stephen J. Jacquemin Wright State University - Lake Campus, stephen.jacquemin@wright.edu M. Morden C. Ewing J. C. Doll Follow this and additional works at: https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/biology  Part of the Biology Commons, Medical Sciences Commons, and the Systems Biology Commons Repository Citation Jacquemin, S. J., Morden, M., Ewing, C., & Doll, J. C. (2021). Importance and Challenges of Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St Marys. . https://corescholar.libraries.wright.edu/biology/861 This Poster is brought to you for free and open access by the Biological Sciences at CORE Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion in Biological Sciences Faculty Publications by an authorized administrator of CORE Scholar. For more information, please contact library-corescholar@wright.edu. - Simple correlation analyses indicated strong significant positiverelationships between total microcystin toxin and cell density(r=0.97), phycocyanin pigment (r=0.72) as well as betweenphycocyanin pigment and cell density (r=0.75).- However, future research should expand to include more timeperiods with cell counts and extend this approach to other systems.- Further examination of the relationships between algal cellpopulations, pigment activity (phycocyanin), and toxin production(total microcystin) could lead to more rapid and accuratemonitoring techniques for Grand Lake St. Marys and freshwaterecosystems across the Midwest.Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are photosynthetic bacteria commonly found infreshwater lakes1-3. And while these algae represent an important part of thephytoplankton community, in conditions of high nutrient loading they can rapidlyproliferate into a harmful algal bloom. HABs are becoming increasingly frequent inthe Midwest and have a highly negative impact on recreation, tourism, biodiversity,and drinking water supplies as these blooms can discolor water, generate unsustainableswings in oxygen levels, minimize the photic zone of the water column, and evengenerate toxins (such as Microcystin) that can have physiological impacts on fish,mammals, and birds3. Nowhere is this more apparent than in Grand Lake St Marys(Mercer Co, OH) where persistent HAB activity spurred by a long history of nutrientrich runoff has generated persistent nearly year-round HAB activity1.Given the increasing frequency of HABs and linkages to degraded water quality thereis a fundamental need for rapid, real time monitoring of bloom activity (including # ofcells, species, photosynthetic activity, and toxin production)3. However, monitoring ofHABs is challenging because many factors (light, nutrients, temperature, pH,precipitation, etc.) contribute to formation, toxicity, and extent. Moreover, monitoringof HABs can be highly technical and expensive (particularly related to toxin assays,chromatography, etc.). Thus, there is a need for additional studies that characterizeHABs and provide model templates of the many parameters that can be studied.IMPORTANCE AND CHALLENGES OF MONITORING HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN GRAND LAKE ST MARYSM MORDEN1, C EWING1, B STRANG1, JC DOLL2, SJ JACQUEMIN11 WRIGHT STATE UNIVERSITY – LAKE CAMPUS, CELINA, OHIO 458222 FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY, FLORENCE, SOUTH CAROLINA 29502PROJECT OBJECTIVES- Characterize cyanobacteria activity over time in Grand Lake St Marys- Assess all relationships between algal cells (population density), pigment activity(phycocyanin), and toxin production (total microcystin)ABSTRACTHarmful algal blooms as a result of excessive nutrient runoff have rapidly become a majorfocus on water quality around the Midwest as the number of people, economies, andecosystems affected has risen. However, monitoring HAB activity is challenging because ofthe myriad of factors which can affect bloom formation, toxicity, and extent. Thus, there isa need for increased study of methodologies that can accurately and rapidly characterizeHAB proliferation and effects. The objectives of this preliminary study were to characterizecyanobacteria activity over time in a hypereutrophic system (Grand Lake St Marys, OH) byobserving algal cell populations, pigment activity (phycocyanin), and toxin production (totalmicrocystin) to determine the relationships between these parameters to better understandbloom timing and relationships among these factors. Simple correlation analysis of weeklytoxin samples, phycocyanin pigment, and cell density taken over the course of a yearrevealed close relationships between all three of these parameters (r > 0.70 and p < 0.001 forall 3 comparisons). Future research should expand on the simple relationships documentedherein and incorporate additional abiotic criteria into a functional model that could helpbetter predict and determine HAB activity in aquatic ecosystems.A 1-liter water sample was collected weekly from a central shoreline point (west side) in GrandLake St. Marys. This sample was immediately subsampled and a portion of it utilized for cellcounts (preserved with 20% ethanol solution) and total microcystin analysis (ELISA assay).Phycocyanin pigment was measured in situ at the time of sample collection using an AlgaeTorch (bbe Moldaenke). Total microcystin was measured by Celina Water Treatment Plantpersonnel using an ELISA procedure. Cell counts were done by sub-sampling 10 microliters ofwater and micro pipetting into a hemocytometer where number of blue-green algae cells presentin the grid were recorded and scaled according to volume. Cyanobacteria species wereidentified using a field guide for freshwater algal blooms and scums2. Simple correlationanalyses were used to assess relationships between toxin data, cell number, and pigment levels.Toxin and pigment were measured 10/2019 to present and cell counts from 10/2020 to present.ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSResearch funded through a student research grant from theWright State University Lake Campus Research InitiativeLITERATURE CITED1. Jacquemin SJ. et al. 2018. Changes in Water Quality of GLSM Watershed Following Implementation of a Distressed Watershed Rules Package. Journal of Enviro. Qual.2. Kannan MS and Lenca N. 2013. Field Guide to Algae and Other “Scums” in Ponds, Lakes, Streams, and Rivers. Conservation District Doc (Boone, Kenton, Campbell KY). 3. Anderson D et al. 2002. Harmful Algal Blooms and Eutrophication: Nutrient Sources, Composition, and Consequences. Estuaries.Loading a hemocytometer slide and counting Planktothrix cellsPlanktothrix 4xFigure 2: Toxin and Cell Density Over TimeFigure 1: Pigment and Cell Density Over TimeFigure 5: Toxin vs PigmentFigure 3: Toxin vs Cell DensityFigure 4: Pigment vs Cell DensityPROJECT RESULTSPROJECT METHODOLOGYLinear relationship with little variation Good relationship but asymptotes out at ~350 ug/L PCLinear relationship with lots of variation Over 95% algae in samples was BG –of that, 99% was  PlanktothrixGLSM HABGLSM SignagePROJECT IMPLICATIONSPROJECT BACKGROUND

Importance and Challenges of Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St Marys

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Importance and Challenges of Monitoring Harmful Algal Blooms in Grand Lake St Marys

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