 August 19, 2024 updated 635 pm EDT
Ohio HAB Tracker
from National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) satellite monitoring program
Lake Erie HAB leads to algal toxin advisories for Maumee Bay and South Bass Island State Parks
Ohio Department of Health has issued Recreational Health Advisories for Maumee Bay State Park and South Bass Island State Park. The ELISA test for Maumee Bay State Park sample taken on August 13 returned a total microcystins level 50 ug/L, in the area the satellite monitoring program has been demonstrating a high concentration HAB. South Bass Island State Park is also under an algal toxin advisory Monday, the level measured here on August 14 being 35.6 ug/L, this sample was collected August 14.
The US EPA guidelines for HAB toxins in recreational water are not legally enforceable limits. This guidance, along with an early detection satellite monitoring system for HABs is intended to help state health officials make decisions advising the public.
The US EPA guidance of 8 ug/L for the hepatotoxin microcystinsis based on the level deemed to cause no ill effects when an individual is exposed over a ten day period. There is a range of opinion as to the safe level. The Canadian guidance allows 15 ug/L microcystins in recreational water. In California, the level determined safe is much lower. According to a 2012 assessment of six cyanotoxins by Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment of the California Environmental Protection Agency here, the total toxin loading in an individual exposed to cyanotoxins via skin contact and incidental/accidental ingestion while swimming or in water sports, along with breathing in the aerosols, establishes the safe level an order of magnitude lower than the US EPA guideline, .8 ug/L
WTOH.us asked R.P. Stumpf, Ph.D., NOAA Oceanographer and project head for the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science HAB monitoring program about the high concentration levels presenting in Lake Erie through the last weeks. According to Stumph, "The concentration was high, but not unusual for a bloom expected to be in the severity 6 range. The bloom in Lake Erie had been developing slowly over the last couple of weeks, and with the calm weather it had the opportunity to concentrate." Stumph points to the goals of the Cyanobacteria Assessment Network CyAN project of the US EPA, here to "develop a uniform and systematic approach for identifying cyanobacteria blooms across the contiguous U.S. using ocean satellites" and "to characterize exposure and human health effects using ocean color satellites in drinking water sources and recreational waters."
Stumph goes on to explain that CyAN does not declare the outcomes and implications of the HAB early warning system. Public health communication, says Stumph, "is a state/county responsibility, driven by their health departments or equivalent--coordinated with their environmental agencies. The CyAN goal is to provide guidance that allows the agencies to make appropriate decisions on warnings, monitoring, and the like. We have found that toxins are usually present when CyAN detects a bloom. If there is an assumption by state/county that CyAN detect means risk, then use of CyAN data provides a conservative warning--errs on the side of caution.
The detection and tracking of the cyanobacteria by satellite is without question valuable. What is interesting is the response and reaction of different health authorities on what is ultimately communicated to the public, and when. WT tracks the near daily uploaded satellite images from Stumph and his team for trans-boundary water bodies Lake Erie and Lake Champlain, as well as the southeast Louisiana water bodies. While Ohio State departments do report algal toxin test results in a publicly accessible format, the same cannot be said for all other states and Canadian jurisdictions. Louisiana, New York, Vermont and Quebec in Canada have HABs of similar appearance to Lake Erie going on for many weeks this season, we have yet to find cyanotoxin test results. More to follow.
The latest satellite image of Lake Erie West basin was captured August 19 at very high wind speed, 21.1 mph. This and the previous image snapped yesterday are mostly cloud obscured with bits and pieces of bluegreen bloom showing up in the cloud breaks. The patchy information from the August 19 image shows concentration around 1 million cells per 100 ml around Maumee Bay and North Maumee Bay, around 500 to 600 thousand cells per 100 ml in open water.
The following observations are based on the last clear image available, captured August 14 unless otherwise noted:
- North Maumee Bay widespread HAB 900 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Toledo - Maumee Bay widespread HAB extending from Maumee River through the bay into Lake Erie at 1 to 3 million cells per 100 ml
- Toledo - Maumee Bay State Park widespread HAB block extends the full shoreline and 10 nm into open water the hot spot concentration up to 4 million cells along the east half of the shoreline
- Mallard Club Marsh Wilderness Area to Cedar Point widespread block from shore to 10 nm into open water starting out 2 to 3 million cells for the first 3 nm tapering off to 1 million cells per 100 ml
- Cedar Point National Wildlife Refuge widespread block from shore to 10 nm into open water the hot spot northeast of the point in a 5 by 7 nm block 3 to 6 million cells per 100 ml
- Reno Beach widespread HAB extending 10 nm from shore 2 million cells along shore increasing to 5 million in the hot spot approximately 5 nm off shore
- Metzger Marsh Wildlife Area widespread HAB extending 10 nm from shore 600 thousand cells at shore increasing to 5 million in the hot spot approximately 5 nm off shore
- Magee Marsh Wildlife Area widespread HAB extending 10 nm from shore 600 thousand cells at shore increasing to 5 million in the hot spot approximately 5 nm off shore
- Toussaint River outlet widespread HAB from shore 2 million cells extending over 12 nm in open water 200 thousand cells at the open water edge
- Camp Perry widespread HAB 2 to 3 million cells along shore running out to the international border 1 million cells at the outer edge
- Port Clinton widespread HAB along shore extending 2 to 3 nm at 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Catawba Island widespread HAB wrapping the island 1 to 2 nm band 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Kelleys Island widespread HABs encompassing the island 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- South Bass Island widespread HABs encompassing the island 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Middle Bass Island widespread HABs encompassing the island 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Isle St George widespread HABs encompassing the island up to south shore at 300 thousand cells per 100 ml, the east-north-west shores are clear for about 1 nm before reaching the HAB mass
Sandusky Bay:
- Muddy Creek Bay - no HAB activity
- Pickerel Point to Bayview/Route 269 - dispersed open water HABs fill the inner bay area 700 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Bay View/Route 269 toward Cedar Point - dispersed open water HABs 700 thousand cells per 100 ml
- Cedar Point - band of HAB extends 7 nm toward Kelleys Island 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
Lake Erie east of Sandusky Bay band of dense HAB extends east from Cedar Point past Huron in a block from shore reaching 3 to 7 nm into open water 300 thousand cells per 100 ml
Composited Cyanobacteria Index as reported by National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, a visual scale based on true color imagery from the Copernicus- Sentinel 3a satellite of the EUMETSAT Note: Winds above 4.0 mph may begin mixing the bloom and clouds may obscure it, leading to an underestimate of the area. Moderate and low concentrations may not be obvious to the eye.
Beach Advisories from Department of Health
Four Lake Erie beaches posted with recreational public health advisories midweek, not including Maumee Bay State Park (Erie)
Seventeen beach advisories are listed Monday afternoon, including two new advisories posted this morning for algal toxin above the OEPA recreational guidance in Lake Erie, Maumee Bay State Park and South Bass Island State Park. Eleven Lake Erie beaches have high bacteria advisories. Grand Lake permanent algal toxin advisories remain on four beaches.
Ohio Department of Health posts advisories based on updated lab test results with e.coli levels above 235 ug/L, or based on predictive modeling. Beach advisories based on predictive modeling may display e.coli test results well below the threshold 235 ug/L.
Updates are in progress, more to follow.
Ohio BeachGuard is a public facing app displaying active advisories for recreational water bodies, including high bacteria advisories and toxic algae advisories. Sampling is done by County Health, water utilities or Ohio Department of Natural Resources with advisories issued and lab test results reported by the Ohio Department of Health. Ohio Environmental Protection Agency oversees standard testing of raw water sources for bacterial and cyanotoxin levels in water to be treated for drinking. OEPA and ODNR, Ohio DOH publish test results for drinking water and recreational water separately, even on the same water body. WT tracks bacterial and cyanotoxin values from both the recreational BeachGuard and Ohio Drinking Water Watch.
Toxic algae advisories indicate avoid all contact with the water. Algal toxins have been found at unsafe levels. Swimming and wading are not recommended. Keep pets away.
For more information check Ohio State resources here
or call 1-866-644-6224
Western Basin Lake Erie National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
HABS Hazardous Algae Blooms
Get informed and stay safe around the water this summer
WaterToday collects algal bloom monitoring information from state and federal agencies including but not limited to the CDC, EPA, NOAA and state public health authorities.
HABs alerts are posted on our state maps according to the best available information reported by citizen groups, universities, state and/or federal monitoring agencies.
Before you head out to the beach, pond or stream, check with local authorities to confirm the latest HABs conditions.
Consider carrying a rapid test kit for micro-cystin, the most common of the cyanobacteria toxins.
Sources for algal bloom data:
National Centres for Coastal Ocean Science
A department of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NCCOS provides harmful algal bloom forecasting for certain water bodies and regions including:
West Basin Lake Erie https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-western-lake-erie-basin/
Lake Pontchartrain https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/science-areas/habs/hab-monitoring-system/cyanobacteria-algal-bloom-from-satellite-in-lake-pontchartrain-la/
The forecasting is based on true color imagery provided by OLCI sensors on Copernicus Sentinel-3a satellite of the EUMETSAT group
Environmental Protection Agency Cyanobacteria Assessment Network (CyAN)
The mission of the CyAN project is to support the environmental management and public use of U.S. lakes and estuaries by providing a useful and accessible approach to detecting and quantifying algal blooms and related water quality using satellite data records.
What is CyAN: Mobile and web-based application for cyanobacteria monitoring
How does it work? Users can enter the coordinates or name of local water bodies for monitoring information.
The CyAN project officially started October 1, 2015. It provided continental U.S. coverage using the Envisat MERIS archive from 2002-2012
Sign up here: https://www.epa.gov/water-research/cyanobacteria-assessment-network-application-cyan-app
Centers for Disease Control
Environmental Public Health Tracking provides data and information on health outcomes, the environment, population, and exposures, including hazardous algal blooms occurring in water bodies of the USA, both freshwater and marine.
CDC Public Notice on Hazardous Algae Blooms
It is not possible to know if a large growth, or bloom, of algae or cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae) is harmful just by looking at it. Some blooms make toxins (poisons), which can still be in the water even when you can’t see a bloom. Learn how to protect yourself and your loved ones from harmful algae and cyanobacteria, what to do if you or a pet is exposed to them, and how to help prevent these blooms.
Swimming and Wading: Stay out of water with a bloom, rinse off if you or your pets are in contact with water
If you see signs of a bloom, stay out of the water and keep your pets out of the water. Do not fish, swim, boat, or play water sports in areas where this is possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria.
Do not go into or play in water that:
- Smells bad
- Looks discolored
- Has foam, scum, algal mats, or paint-like streaks on the surface
- Has dead fish or other animals washed up on its shore or beach
Protect your pets and livestock from getting sick by keeping them away from water with possible harmful algae or cyanobacteria. Do not let animals:
- Get in the water
- Drink the water
- Lick or eat mats of cyanobacteria or algae
- Eat or graze near the water
- Eat dead fish or other animals on the shore
- Go on the beach or shoreline
If you or your pets do go in water that may have a bloom, rinse yourself and your pets immediately afterward with tap water from a sink, shower, hose, or outdoor spigot. Do not let pets lick their fur until they have been rinsed. Pets may have harmful algae, cyanobacteria, or related toxins on their fur if they swim or play in water with a bloom.
Do not fill pools with water directly from lakes, rivers, or ponds. The water could contain algal or cyanobacterial toxins or unsafe levels of germs.
Drinking Water:
Follow local guidance about toxins in tap water
If you are notified of cyanobacteria or their toxins in your public drinking water supply, follow guidance from your local or state government or water utility to reduce the chances of you or your animals getting sick.
Harmful cyanobacteria may grow in water bodies that supply tap water. Although many water treatment plants can remove these toxins, tap water can be contaminated in certain situations. Cyanobacteria can also produce substances that are not harmful, but can change the taste or smell of tap water.
If you have concerns about the appearance, smell, or taste of tap water that you are using, contact your water utility or health department. Consider using bottled water for drinking and cooking until the problem is resolved.
Don’t boil water contaminated with toxins. Boiling water does not remove toxins and can concentrate the toxin.
Fish and shellfish:
Be aware of advisories and health risks related to eating contaminated fish and shellfish
Avoid eating very large reef fish (such as grouper or amberjack), especially the head, gut, liver, or roe (eggs). Large reef fish may be contaminated with ciguatoxin, the algal toxin that causes ciguatera fish poisoning. See the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guidance for more information on reef fish associated with unsafe levels of toxins.
Check for and follow local shellfish and fish advisories before eating any fish or shellfish you collect yourself. Algal and cyanobacterial toxins in fish or shellfish have no taste or odor. Cooking or preserving food does not remove toxins. Thus, you cannot tell if the seafood is safe by just looking at, smelling, or tasting it.
- Check to see if shellfish beds are closed. State shellfish control authorities (usually state health departments or other state agencies) are required to control for toxins where harmful algal blooms are likely to occur and toxins could build up in shellfish. Common ways state authorities control for algal toxins include routine monitoring for toxic algae or shellfish and testing shellfish for toxins before or after harvesting. If levels of toxins are unsafe, state authorities will close the area for shellfish harvesting until shellfish are safe to eat.
- Check safety advisories from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Fish and Shellfish Advisories and Safe Eating Guidelines website.
Report any concerns to your local public health authorities.
EPA notice to the public on harmful algae
Harmful algal blooms can be green, blue, red or brown. They can be scummy or look like paint on the surface of the water.
What are harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms are overgrowths of algae in water. Some produce dangerous toxins in fresh or marine water but even nontoxic blooms hurt the environment and local economies.
What are the effects of harmful algal blooms?
Harmful algal blooms can:
- Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals
- Create dead zones in the water
- Raise treatment costs for drinking water
- Hurt industries that depend on clean water
The EPA has a role in enforcing environmental protection regulations to limit discharges into water bodies that contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms.
The EPA also maintains list of Impaired Water Bodies by state, those water bodies that are not supporting their ideal uses for recreation, including swimming, fishing and wading. The EPA works with state authorities to identify water bodies that are not supporting their intended recreational uses, to set daily maximum loads for contaminants and nutrient load for impaired water bodies. The EPA works with state and other federal agencies to investigate and prosecute violations of the Clean Water Act, with a role in ordering watershed plans that limit discharges to these water bodies to allow for recovery.
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