Concurrent Session J. Cyanotoxin – Phytoplankton’s Revenge or The Empire Strikes Back

Afternoon Session

* 2 Training Contact Hours are available for this session.

Cyanobacteria, formerly known as blue-green algae, are a ubiquitous component of lake ecosystems that gain a competitive edge when ecological balance is tipped by excessive nutrients. In Maine, this results in lakes that take on a greenish hue – sometimes comparable to pea soup – and a distinctive aroma in late summer. In a state known for its clear lakes, the aesthetics alone are enough for people to avoid swimming and other recreational activities. But the unseen threat of cyanotoxins is emerging as a concern for individuals drinking, swimming and recreating on such lakes. In 2015, EPA released drinking water criteria for microcystin LR, the cyanotoxin most likely to occur in Maine waters, and in December of 2016, EPA released draft criteria for recreation. This session seeks to provide more background for lake lovers including recent in-state research results and regional monitoring opportunities.

Session Chairs:
Linda Bacon
Bureau of Water Quality, Maine Department of Environmental Protection

Mike Abbott
Chief Engineer, Maine Drinking Water Program

Speakers:

1:30pm – 1:55pm

Cyanobacteria: Origins, Toxicity, Health Risks

Dr. James F. Haney
Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Hampshire; jfhaney@unh.edu

Problems of toxic cyanobacteria blooms have been increasing worldwide threatening the health of wildlife, humans as well as the integrity of aquatic ecosystems. This presentation will examine the evolutionary origins of cyanobacteria, why they have evolved toxins and the factors that promote toxic cyanobacteria in our lakes. Recent research reveals transfer of these cyanotoxins may occur through aquatic food webs, commercial crops and through dispersion as aerosols emitted from lakes. Water quality derived from satellite imagery evaluates the health risks of living near lakes with cyanobacteria blooms. Finally, citizen cyanobacteria monitoring programs are a necessary of preserving and protecting the water quality of our lakes.

2:00pm – 2:25pm

A Multi-Tiered Approach to Monitoring Cyanobacteria and Documenting Algal Bloom Occurrences: The Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative

Hilary Snook
US EPA Senior Environmental Scientist – New England Regional Laboratory; snook.hilary@epa.gov

Cyanobacteria and their associated toxins are a looming issue across the country and are of particular concern from a human and ecological health perspective. Increasing intensity and duration of precipitation events and development/land use pressures within watersheds are resulting in increasing nutrient loads to aquatic systems. These inputs set the stage for recurring algal blooms which can have significant social and economic impacts.

Over the past couple of years, the New England Regional Laboratory has convened a Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative (CMC) workgroup that consists of public water suppliers, state environmental water quality and beach monitoring programs and departments of public health, tribes, NGOs, citizen monitoring groups, and academics, to collaboratively establish a uniform and consistent regional approach to monitoring cyanobacteria. This program has been developed to encompass all levels of expertise and budget capabilities from the most basic to advanced. Program architecture is designed so that participants can proceed from the most basic level to the most advanced depending on human and budget resources as well as program needs.

This presentation will discuss the methods, tools, and data produced from the workgroup’s efforts and share how others may become involved based on their needs. The presentation will cover monitoring of fluorescent pigments using inexpensive field fluorometers, use of smartphone technology in conjunction with on-site field microscopy and “bloom-watch” kits, and, and utilization of smartphone apps to enable on-site data submissions and spot identifications of bloom cyanobacteria. Examples of how it is presently being utilized by water suppliers in the region to assist in managing their resources will be highlighted.

2:30pm – 3:00pm
Afternoon Break

3:00pm – 3:25pm

Climate change may increase the prevalence of Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses in Maine

Matthew Kruger (student)
Graduate School of Biomedical Science and Engineering, Climate Change Institute, University of Maine; matthew.kruger@maine.edu

Amyotrophic Lateral Scleroses (ALS) is a debilitating disease with no cure that results in death of spinal cord motor neurons, loss of muscle control and eventually death. Interestingly, the environment plays an import role in the risk of being diagnosed with ALS. The environmental toxin, BMAA (beta-Methylamino-L-alanine), has been associated with an increase prevalence of ALS. One source of BMAA is cyanobacteria, which grow in many lakes throughout Maine and frequently release toxins via harmful algal blooms (HABs). Unfortunately, a warming planet due to climate change will likely lead to more HABs, more BMAA released into Maine waters, increased exposure through drinking and recreational activities, and potentially more cases of ALS in Maine. Therefore, one major goal of this project is to study how climate change is affecting the intensity of HABs and how that may impact the prevalence of ALS in Maine.

By studying how BMAA is changing in Maine water sources, we will be able to inform policy makers on the best way to mitigate the problem. Additionally, determining the concentration of BMAA in several Maine lakes will increase our understanding of the potential neurodegenerative effects on the local people using the zebrafish animal model. Furthermore, testing those environmentally-relevant concentrations of BMAA on zebrafish will enable us to study how the genetic / environmental interaction affects the cellular signaling mechanisms to increase the prevalence of environmentally-induced ALS, potentially allowing for targeted drug intervention well before symptoms manifest.

3:30pm – 3:55pm

Assessment of Cyanotoxin Threat to Maine’s Public Drinking Water Supplies

Jessica Meeks
Maine CDC Drinking Water Program; jessica.meeks@maine.gov

The Maine CDC Drinking Water Program is concerned that there is a lack of awareness and data regarding potential impacts to water quality resulting from the presence of cyanobacteria and their associated toxins in some of Maine’s lakes and ponds used as public drinking water sources. Although several states have adopted Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for certain cyanotoxins (e.g., microcystin-LR, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, saxitoxin) there are currently no Federal regulations that establish safe levels; and Maine has not adopted its own standards.  In order to address these concerns, the DWP has initiated a State-wide study of cyanotoxins in surface water that began with a DWP-funded project conducted in 2016 by the University of Maine’s Mitchell Center for Sustainability Solutions.  The first year of research included historical data analysis, water utility observations, and a field-based study of algae and cyanotoxin concentrations in surface waters during the summer and fall of 2016. Preliminary results have indicated that cyanotoxins are present at low concentrations in many of Maine’s lakes and ponds that serve as public drinking water supplies.  This presentation will outline further work planned for 2017, which will include additional sampling of sources and finished water to determine potential risk to consumers.  The results of continued work will be used to generate site specific risk profiles for each public water system involved in this study and develop appropriate monitoring and management protocol to minimize risk.