INQUISITR.COM / News & Politics

2016 Lake Erie Algae Bloom Expected To Be Moderate

By Jennifer Deutschmann
Published on: 05:27 PST, Jul 8, 2016

The 2016 Lake Erie algae bloom is expected to be moderate in comparison to recent years. Although the news is encouraging, environmentalists are saying it is “not cause for celebration.”

Cyanobacteria, which is commonly referred to as blue-green algae, can survive in fresh and salt water. In addition to producing large floating masses, which impede recreation and fishing, the algae release toxins called microcystins into the water.

As explained by the Environmental Protection Agency, microcystins can cause illness in people who swim in or drink water that has not been properly treated. Contact with the toxins may cause irritation in the eyes, throat, and on the skin. However, microcystins are specifically dangerous because they also attack the liver.

To prevent illness, warnings are posted on public beaches during dangerous algae blooms, and water treatment plants closely monitor the microcystin levels. Unfortunately, sometimes it simply is not enough.

In 2014, a massive Lake Erie algae bloom surrounded Toledo, Ohio’s water intake. As a result, the microcystin levels in the city’s water reached dangerous levels. In an effort to prevent illness, the city advised residents to avoid drinking, cooking with, and bathing in the water. Essentially, residents were warned to avoid using the city’s water completely.

Although the issue was resolved in a matter of days, residents of Northwest Ohio are leery of larger algae blooms, which could compromise the drinking water.

Lake Erie’s massive 2014 and 2015 algae blooms were exacerbated by excessive rain, which increased the amount of runoff from local farms.

The Columbus Dispatch reports the runoff is composed of high levels of phosphorus-rich manure and sewage. When Cyanobacteria consume phosphorus, they thrive and form algae blooms.

Lake Erie’s 2016 algae bloom is expected to be moderate, as the region surrounding the southern shore of the lake is experiencing a drought. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration oceanographer confirmed a portion of this summer’s algae bloom will actually contain “carryover from the 2015 bloom.”

Although the predictions for the 2016 Lake Erie algae bloom are encouraging, environmentalists are concerned larger blooms will return in the future.

In February, officials in Canada and the United States agreed to a 10-year plan to reduce the amount of phosphorus-containing farm runoff into Lake Erie by 40 percent. However, the state of Ohio does not have regulations in place to facilitate their goal.

Although the NOAA and Ohio Governor John Kasich have acknowledged the necessity of regulations to reduce the amount of farm runoff and, therefore, the amount of phosphorous entering the lake, no changes have been confirmed at this time.

EcoWatch reports there is also concern that the runoff contains glyphosate, which is a component of fertilizers including Roundup Ready. Ohio Sea Grant researcher Bowling Green State University explains.

“It turns out that many cyanobacteria present in Lake Erie have the genes allowing the uptake of phosphonates, and these cyanobacteria can grow using glyphosate and other phosphonates as a sole source of phosphorus.”

Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory interim director Chris Winslow said he would like to see more focus on the monitoring of microcystins in Lake Erie. Winslow said affordable real-time monitors should be available within the next two years.

It is unclear when, or if, the state of Ohio will implement or enforce regulation to reduce the runoff that increases toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie. However, environmental groups are putting pressure on local and state officials to prevent the further demise of the Great Lakes.

In addition to the harm to humans, Lake Erie algae blooms are dangerous for fish and other creatures living in the lake. During heavy algae blooms, the cyanobacteria form a massive dead zone, which depletes oxygen levels and subsequently kill the fish.

Lake Erie’s 2016 algae bloom is not expected cause as many issues as the 2014 and 2015 blooms. However, scientists are looking to prevent the dangerous cyanobacteria from overrunning the lake in the future.

[Image via Daniel Novak/Shutterstock]

Share this article: 2016 Lake Erie Algae Bloom Expected To Be Moderate
More from Inquisitr