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 Grahamjlgraham@usgs.govjlgraham@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