Cyanobacterial Blooms: Tastes, Odors, and Toxins
Jennifer L. Graham and the Algal Toxin Team: Keith A. Loftin, Michael T. Meyer, and Andrew C. Ziegler
USGS Kansas Water Science Center and Organic Geochemistry Research Laboratory
Known Occurrences of Toxic Freshwater Cyanobacteria in the United States
= occurrence
•• Cyanobacterial tasteCyanobacterial taste--andand--odor and toxin odor and toxin compoundscompounds
•• Midwest OccurrenceMidwest Occurrence
•• USGS studiesUSGS studies
OverviewOverview
Binder Lake, IA August 2006Binder Lake, IA August 2006
Taste, odor, and toxin compounds produced Taste, odor, and toxin compounds produced by cyanobacteriaby cyanobacteria
XXXXXXSynechocystisSynechocystis
XXXXXXXXXXSynechococcusSynechococcus
UnicellularUnicellular
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXOscillatoriaOscillatoria
XXXXXXMicrocystisMicrocystis
XXXXXXXXXXLyngbyaLyngbya
XXXXXXXXCylindrospermopsisCylindrospermopsis
??XXXXXXXXXXXXAphanizomenonAphanizomenon
??XXXXXXXXXXXXXXAnabaenaAnabaena
Colonial/FilamentousColonial/Filamentous
CYANOBACTERIACYANOBACTERIA
MIBMIBGeosGeosSAXSAXBMAABMAAANAANAMCMCCYLCYL
TASTES/ODORSTASTES/ODORSNEUROTOXINSNEUROTOXINSHEPATOTOXINSHEPATOTOXINSDERMATOXINSDERMATOXINS
Cyanobacterial tasteCyanobacterial taste--andand--odor and toxin compounds are not odor and toxin compounds are not produced by the same biochemical pathway but patterns in produced by the same biochemical pathway but patterns in
occurrence are similaroccurrence are similar
•• Extreme spatiotemporal Extreme spatiotemporal variability variability
•• Lack of relation with Lack of relation with cyanobacterialcyanobacterial community community composition or chlorophyll composition or chlorophyll concentrationconcentration
•• Coupling with lake Coupling with lake processes as influenced by processes as influenced by physiochemical, biological, physiochemical, biological, hydrological, and hydrological, and meteorological factorsmeteorological factors
Upper Pine Lake, IA August 2006Upper Pine Lake, IA August 2006
Lake Lake MinnewashtaMinnewashta, IA August 2006, IA August 2006
•• Economic ConcernsEconomic Concerns–– Added drinking water treatment costsAdded drinking water treatment costs–– Loss of recreational revenueLoss of recreational revenue
•• Health ConcernsHealth Concerns–– TastesTastes--andand--OdorsOdors
•• Olfactory sensitivity at low concentrations (< 0.01 Olfactory sensitivity at low concentrations (< 0.01 µµg/L)g/L)•• Chronic effects?Chronic effects?
–– ToxinsToxins•• Human and animal illness and deathHuman and animal illness and death•• EPA contaminant candidate listEPA contaminant candidate list•• Drinking water Drinking water -- microcystinmicrocystin
–– WHO guideline WHO guideline –– 1.0 1.0 µµg/Lg/L–– DrinkingDrinking--water treatment processes effectively remove most toxinswater treatment processes effectively remove most toxins
•• Recreational water Recreational water -- microcystinmicrocystin–– Low Risk Low Risk -- < 10 < 10 µµg/Lg/L–– Moderate Risk Moderate Risk -- 1010--20 20 µµg/Lg/L–– High Risk High Risk -- > 20 > 20 µµg/Lg/L
•• Known chronic effectsKnown chronic effects
19991999--2005 Research Objectives2005 Research Objectives
•• Document occurrence, Document occurrence, distribution, and concentration distribution, and concentration of microcystin in of microcystin in midwesternmidwesternlakes and reservoirslakes and reservoirs
•• Determine spatial and Determine spatial and temporal variation in temporal variation in microcystin concentrationmicrocystin concentration
•• Develop empirical relations Develop empirical relations between environmental between environmental variables and microcystin variables and microcystin concentrationconcentration
MozingoMozingo Lake, MO October 2001Lake, MO October 2001
Storm Lake, IA August 1999Storm Lake, IA August 1999
During 1999During 1999--2005 microcystin was detected in 72% of lakes 2005 microcystin was detected in 72% of lakes sampled (n=305) and concentrations ranged from <0.1 to 52 sampled (n=305) and concentrations ranged from <0.1 to 52 µµg/Lg/L
After Graham et al., 2004
Seasonal patterns in microcystin concentration were uniqueSeasonal patterns in microcystin concentration were unique to individual lakes and peaks occurred anytime from May-December
Bilby Ranch, MO
1
2
Marceline 1, MO
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
510152025
Harrison, MO
1
2
Forest, MO1
2
Mozingo, MO
1
2
Nodaway, MO
1
2
Paho, MO
1
2
Sterling Price, MO
2004
J F M A M J J A S O N D
1
2
Peak microcystin values occurred in the winterPeak microcystin values occurred in the winter
Forest Lake, MO
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Ju
n Ju
l Aug Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Ja
n M
icro
cyst
in (µg
/L)
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
OscillatoriaOscillatoria sp.sp.
20042004
Seasonal patterns were relatively consistent Seasonal patterns were relatively consistent between years in some lakesbetween years in some lakes
Mozingo Lake, MO
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr May
Ju
n Ju
l Aug Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Ja
n M
icro
cyst
in (µg
/L)
0.0
0.5
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.020042001
Regionally, microcystin was significantly correlated Regionally, microcystin was significantly correlated with factors that affect cyanobacterial growthwith factors that affect cyanobacterial growth
507<0.010.17pH
795<0.010.46Total Phosphorus (TP)
791<0.01-0.15TN:TP
800<0.010.66Latitude
432<0.010.15Alkalinity
796<0.01-0.27Secchi
795<0.010.58Total Nitrogen (TN)
np-valuersVariable
Regionally, microcystin was not strongly correlated with measureRegionally, microcystin was not strongly correlated with measures s of the cyanobacterial community (data from 1999of the cyanobacterial community (data from 1999--2001)2001)
Biovolume of Potential Microcystin Producers (µm3/L)
1e+5
1e+6
1e+7
1e+8
1e+9
1e+10
1e+11
1e+12
1e+13
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6 r=0.31p<0.01
Regional relations between microcystin and environmental Regional relations between microcystin and environmental variables were not linear (data from 1999variables were not linear (data from 1999--2001)2001)
TN:TP
0
100
200
300
400
500
TP (µg/L)
0
200
400
600
8001000
TN (µg/L)
020004000600080001000012000140001600018000
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
r2=0.84 r2=0.38 r2=0.995
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
5
0
1
2
3
4
pH
2 4 6 8 10 12
Secchi (m)
0 2 4 6 8 10
Alkalinity (mg/L)
0 50100150200250300350
r2=0.70 r2=0.72 r2=0.94
r2=0.96 r2=0.90 r2=0.83
Mozingo Lake, MO - Summer 2001
Log10 Dissolved Nitrogen
2.70
2.75
2.80
2.85
2.90
2.95
3.00
Log 1
0 M
icro
cyst
in
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
Log10 Total Cations
1.60
1.65
1.70
1.75
Log 1
0 M
icro
cyst
in
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
Log10 Chlorophyll>35 µm
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8 1.0 1.2 1.4 1.6
Log 1
0 M
icro
cyst
in
1.0
1.5
2.0
2.5
3.0
3.5
Individual lake correlations between microcystin Individual lake correlations between microcystin and environmental variables were linearand environmental variables were linear
Coupling with seasonal lake processes, including stratification and nutrient loss from the epilimnion
Epilimnion of Mozingo Lake, MO - Summer 2001
May June July Aug Sept
Dis
solv
ed N
itro
gen
(µg
/L)
500
550
600
650
700
750
800
850
900
Mic
rocy
stin
(n
g/L)
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Net
Ch
loro
phyl
l (µ g
/L)
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
Tota
l Cat
ion
s (m
g/L)
38
40
42
44
46
48
50
52
54
56
58
NetChlorophyll
Microcystin
Nitrogen
Cations
Factors most strongly correlated with Factors most strongly correlated with microcystin vary among lakes and yearsmicrocystin vary among lakes and years
Mozingo Lake, MO - 2004
Chlorophyll > 35 µm (µg/L)
0 10 20 30 40 50
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
0.0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
1.8 r=0.55p<0.01
Forest Lake, MO - 2004
Chlorophyll > 35 µm (µg/L)
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
0.0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6 r=0.95p<0.01
Marceline 1, MO - 2004
Chlorophyll > 35 µm (µg/L)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60
Mic
rocy
stin
(µg
/L)
0
5
10
15
20
25 r=0.41p<0.01
Microcystin in Midwestern Lakes - Conclusions
• Microcystin is common in Midwestern lakes and reservoirs and may reach levels that can cause health concerns
• Seasonal patterns in microcystin concentration are unique to individual lakes and maxima may occur in any season
• Regional relations between microcystin and environmental variables are non-linear, and suggest optima for maximum microcystin concentrations
• Microcystin and environmental variables may be tightly coupled in individual lakes, but relations vary among lakes and years
Research Needs and ProgressResearch Needs and Progress
•• Expanded Lake and Expanded Lake and River MonitoringRiver Monitoring
•• Reliable Analytical Reliable Analytical TechniquesTechniques
•• LongLong--Term StudiesTerm Studies
•• Methods for Early Methods for Early Detection Detection
•• Predictive ModelsPredictive Models
East Okoboji, IA June 2000East Okoboji, IA June 2000
Cheney Reservoir, KS June 2003Cheney Reservoir, KS June 2003Photo Courtesy of KDHEPhoto Courtesy of KDHE
Expanded monitoring and reliable analyticalExpanded monitoring and reliable analytical techniquestechniques
Cylindro
sperm
opsin
Microcystins
Elution time - minutes
LC/MS Chromatograms
Peak
Inte
nsity
Anatoxin-a
Elution time - minutes
Peak
Inte
nsity
Texas toxin and tasteTexas toxin and taste--andand--odor occurrence studiesodor occurrence studies
ActinomycetesActinomycetes bacteria also produce geosmin and MIB and bacteria also produce geosmin and MIB and may contribute to tastemay contribute to taste--andand--odor problems in reservoirsodor problems in reservoirs
Long Term StudiesLong Term Studies –– Assessment of Water Quality in the North Assessment of Water Quality in the North Fork Fork NinnescahNinnescah River and Cheney Reservoir, 1997River and Cheney Reservoir, 1997--presentpresent
•• ConcernsConcerns–– TasteTaste--andand--odor occurrences related to algal bloomsodor occurrences related to algal blooms
–– Relation between watershed inputs and tasteRelation between watershed inputs and taste--andand--odor odor causing algaecausing algae
•• ApproachApproach–– Describe current and historical loading inflow to Cheney Describe current and historical loading inflow to Cheney
Reservoir using reservoir and watershed sediment studies Reservoir using reservoir and watershed sediment studies and continuous waterand continuous water--quality monitoringquality monitoring
–– Describe physical, chemical, and biological processes Describe physical, chemical, and biological processes associated with the proliferation of algae and production ofassociated with the proliferation of algae and production ofalgal byalgal by--products using a combination of discrete samples products using a combination of discrete samples and realand real--time monitorstime monitors
Sediment cores show increasing phosphorus trend Sediment cores show increasing phosphorus trend over time in Cheney Reservoirover time in Cheney Reservoir
Sediment Core Analyses
Early detection, predictive models, and continuous Early detection, predictive models, and continuous waterwater--quality monitorsquality monitors
•• Specific conductance, pH, water Specific conductance, pH, water temperature, turbidity, dissolved temperature, turbidity, dissolved oxygenoxygen
•• ChlorophyllChlorophyll•• PAR (light)PAR (light)•• BlueBlue--green algae (green algae (HydrolabHydrolab, , •• YSI, SCUFA)YSI, SCUFA)•• Nitrate (ISUS)Nitrate (ISUS)
8/6/20
058/7
/2005
8/8/20
058/9
/2005
8/10/2
0058/1
1/2005
8/12/2
005
PAR
( µm
/m2 /
s) a
t 1.5
m
0
100
200
300
400
Blu
e-gr
een
alga
e ( µ
g/L
) a
t 1.5
m08
10
12
14
16Lake Olathe, KS
Early DetectionEarly Detection -- Geosmin concentrations in Cheney Reservoir Geosmin concentrations in Cheney Reservoir frequently exceed the human detection limit of 10 frequently exceed the human detection limit of 10 ngng/L/L
log10(Geo) = 7.2310 - 1.0664 log10(Turb) - 0.0097 SCr2=0.71
Geosmin
Human Detection Limit
Elevation
Estimated Geosmin Concentration 2003
Esti
mat
ed G
eosm
in
Con
cen
trat
ion
(µg
/L)
Elev
atio
n (
ft)
Jennifer GrahamJennifer [email protected]@usgs.gov(785) 832(785) 832--35113511
Additional Information Available on the Web:Additional Information Available on the Web:
RTQW RTQW -- http://http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/rtqw/index.shtmlks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/rtqw/index.shtmlCheney Cheney -- http://http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/cheneyks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/cheneyOlathe Olathe -- http://http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/olatheks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/olatheCyanobacteriaCyanobacteria -- http://http://ks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/cyanobacteriaks.water.usgs.gov/Kansas/studies/qw/cyanobacteria
Thomas Lake, NE May 2006Thomas Lake, NE May 2006
MozingoMozingo Lake, MO June 2000Lake, MO June 2000
Elysian Lake, MN August 2006Elysian Lake, MN August 2006