GLIN==> Research finds connection between sediment plume, Lake Erie Microcystis bloom

Research finds connection between sediment plume, Lake Erie Microcystis
bloom

October 12, 2009

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

TOLEDO, OH - The amount of sediment you see flowing into Lake Erie from the
Maumee River could predict the size and scale of harmful algal blooms in
late summer, according to a new study from the University of Toledo. Ohio
Sea Grant researcher Dr. Tom Bridgeman has found a connection between the
two phenomena, determining that the sediment plume, in fact, creates a
perfect incubator for the blue-green algae. 

Bridgeman and his graduate student Justin Chaffin collected Microcystis
samples during a large bloom that took place in August and September, 2008.
Through testing, they verified that muddiness in the water acts as a
protective shield for the cyanobacteria, particularly when the water is
mixed by breezes blowing across Lake Erie's surface.

 

Because Microcystis has the ability to regulate its buoyancy, more than 90%
of the cyanobacteria can be found at the surface on calm days, further
shading other varieties of algae. However, bright sunlight will actually
damage the blue-green algae, regardless of the amount of mud in the water. 

 

"On calm, sunny days, Microcystis floating on the surface became damaged
quickly, showing loss of up to 50% of photosynthetic capacity in samples
collected between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.," Chaffin explains. "Even after 2 to 5
hours of recovery time in the dark, traveling to the lab for testing, much
of this damage was still unrepaired." 

 

Chaffin also determined that the Microcystis had plenty of nitrogen but were
still phosphorus deprived, indicating that phosphorus levels determine how
much the blue-green algae will grow. The result underscores the importance
of determining the source of the phosphous that has plagued Lake Erie for
decades, in addition to limiting the amount of sediment that gets into the
river by implementing erosion controlling management practices.  

 

To read more about this Ohio Sea Grant and Lake Erie Protection Fund
research, visit http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/_documents/twineline/v31i3.pdf

 

The Ohio State University's Ohio Sea Grant College Program is part of NOAA
Sea Grant, a network of 30 Sea Grant Programs dedicated to the protection
and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. For information on
Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Lab, visit ohioseagrant.osu.edu.

 

###

 

Contact: 

 

Dr. Tom Bridgeman, University of Toledo, thomas.bridgeman at utoledo.edu.,
419-530-8373

 

 

Stacy Brannan

Associate Editor

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory

1314 Kinnear Road

Columbus, OH 43212

614.247.7109

brannan.16 at osu.edu

 

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