Computational Ecology & Open Science: Tools to Help Manage Cyanobacteria in Lakes
The US Environmental Protection Agency and partner organizations are filling data gaps related to human health risks of cyanotoxins in drinking water. The publication of health advisories will fill some of these gaps while the acquisition of occurrence data, would provide information that will be key to determining how to address cyanotoxin risk.
Harmful Algal Blooms and Drinking Water Treatment Research
The US Environmental Protection Agency has been conducting algal bloom research at multiple facilities around Lake Erie over the past few years to help communities confront the challenge of keeping cyanobacterial toxins from reaching consumers’ taps. The first goal of this research is to determine how drinking water providers can optimize their existing facilities to maximize their treatment capabilities for removing cyanobacteria and their toxins.
Protecting America’s Water from Harmful Algal Blooms
The computational approaches we describe here, as well as conducting research via the tenets of open science, will allow us to make significant advances in cyanobacteria ecology and other related fields.
The New England Region Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program: A Pilot Study
The New England region realized that coordinated efforts between grassroots organizations, resource management agencies, and research institutions were needed to regularly monitor for cyanobacteria and the nutrients that contribute to blooms.
Photo Contest Engages Public with Harmful Algal Blooms
Most people have never seen a bloom, and a vital first step in building public awareness about algal blooms is helping the public recognize what an algal bloom looks like. To help engage and educate the public about algal blooms and how to identify them, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency teamed up with the National Environmental Education Foundation and the North American Lake Management Society for the 2014 Algal Bloom Photo Contest.
In Memoriam – Jim Flynn
Longtime NALMS member and supporter, Jim Flynn, passed away on March 18 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
It is not possible to overstate the contributions that Jim has made to NALMS over the years. A member of NALMS from early in its history, Jim and his employer, Hydrolab Inc., were perennial sponsors of NALMS’ annual symposium and the Student Paper Award. Jim was instrumental in the success of the annual symposia, particularly in the early years of the Society. He organized the exhibits as the chair of the Industrial Relations Committee for many ...
In Memoriam – Lowell Klessig
NALMS and lake management lost an important voice and cherished friend with the death of Lowell Klessig on August 8, 2014, following a courageous battle with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease. He died at his beloved New Hopestead Farm in the Town of New Hope, Wisconsin surrounded by family. Lowell’s doctoral dissertation served as the foundation for Wisconsin’s Inland Lake Management Law. He had a long career with the University of Wisconsin-Extension as a Lake District Specialist. He crisscrossed the state to help lake property owners and county boards develop stewardship ...
Bird Brains and Cyanobacteria
Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy has been documented with increasing frequency in southern freshwater bodies. Numerous pieces of evidence point toward a cyanotoxin as the cause of the disease.
Ohio’s Experience with HABs
Since the State of Ohio became aware of harmful levels of microcystin in one of its large inland lakes in 2009, officials have been fine-tuning the state’s monitoring, response, and outreach plans. In addition to carrying out the HAB strategy, and revising the strategy as needed, the State of Ohio continues to seek ways to address the root cause of HABs – excessive nutrients that enter the State’s waterways.
HAB Impacts on Domestic Animals
The Harmful Algal Blooms that make it into headlines are generally associated with public waters, and the occasional poisoning of much-loved pets that become poisoned when they visit public lakes. Arguably, however, the biggest impacts in terms of lost labor and income, are suffered by farmers who have to find alternative water sources when ponds become unusable for livestock.
