TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – The algal bloom in the western basin of Lake Erie is just under 400 square miles, with the highest concentrations in Maumee Bay.
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science(National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science)
Click here for the NOAA Lake Erie Harmful Algae Bloom Forecast.
There are currently four areas of active research being conducted by the Great Lakes Center for Freshwaters and Human Health. These projects are looking at the different harmful aspects of algal blooms.
The first one is looking at nutrients and environmental variabilities, such as the impacts of phosphorus and nitrogen, as well as weather conditions.
The second project is looking at different toxins and other materials that are produced in the blooms.
“There are over 300 different types of microcystin, but that is only one of the things that are coming out of these blooms,” said Sara Guiher, a harmful algal bloom and water quality specialist for Ohio Sea Grant Extension.
This part of the project is also studying the human health impacts of these toxins, as well as the effects of mixing combinations of different toxins.
The third project is looking at aerosolization, studying bubble formation in the water and how different toxins, such as microcystin, may become airborne.
“They are working with modelers who look at climate and weather to see if we can incorporate it maybe into forecasts – you know – toxins are presents, they are going into the air, and how they might move,” said Guiher.
Project four is a five year study looking at the human health impacts of inhaling these airborne toxins such as microcystin.
September is a month where the blooms start to wind down, but it is recommended that you avoid those clusters of algae as they may include toxins that could be harmful to health.
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