Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Primary audiences include the State Watershed and Drinking Water Divisions of the NH Department of Environmental Services, towns, and lake associations. Water quality test results from our study have been used by towns (eg Dover Sommersworth Tuftonboro NH) lake associations (eg Nippo Pond Association, Lake Attitash Association, Province Lake Association) and citizens to assist in cyanotoxin testing, planning for the development and remediation of their lakes. Other audiences include the US Environmental Protection Agency, with whom we are currently developing in collaboration with state agencies from NH, VT, ME, RI, MA and CT a Citizen Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program and an on-line based "Bloom Watch" for citizen reporting of cyanobacteria blooms throughout New England. Through this project we also train students in our classes on the subject of cyanotoxins and lake management as well as in the techniques for measuring water quality and analyzing data. Presentations at scientific meetings and workshops included 1) Annual meeting of the Northeast Plant Management Society, invited speaker (January 2014) 2) USEPA Region 1 Cyanobacteria Monitoring in New England (February 2014) 3) NEIWPCC Cyanobacteria Workshop, Lowell, MA (March 2014) 4) USEPA Region 1 Workshop on Cyanobacteria Monitoring (July 2014) 5) Workshop on Field Sampling of Cyanobacteria Toxins, held at UNH with Biodiversity Research Institute (Portland, ME) and Tufts University Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Program (June 2014) 6) Province Lake Water Quality Steering Committee, presentations on cyanotoxin results, assisted with lake management plans (October 2014) 7) interactive lab visit by Newburyport, MA, Learning Outpost (6 students, 3 teachers) to learn about cyaobacteria. The following participants were directly involved in the project through workshops, presentations, co-operative projects, classroom lectures, laboratory training and participation in the Citizen-based Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program: University of New Hampshire (UNH) students in classes (148), high school students in Project SMART (33), UNH undergraduate students trained in cyanobacteria toxin research in Haney laboratory (51), faculty collaborators and patients at the ALS Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, UNH Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Tufts School Veterinary Medicine, MA Nature Conservancy Cape Cod, Loon Preservation Committee, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Town planners, decision-makers and Conservation Commissions from the NH towns of Guilford, Laconia, Dover, Milton, Holderness, Meredith, Barrington, and the MA towns of Amesbury, Merrimac and Nantucket), Meredith, Lakes Region Planning Commission, North Country Resource Conservation and Development Agency, the Belknap County Conservation District and the State and Federal Agencies (eg NH Dept Environmental Services, NH Office of Energy and Planning, MA Dept Public Health, Maine Dept Environmental Protection, US EPA Laboratory Chelmsford MA, US EPA Atlantic Ecology Division RI), lake association members, lake shore residents, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, Maine Rural Water Association, public water suppliers (CT MA ME NH RI). Cyanobacteria research included in following classes: Field Studies in Lake Ecology (12 students) conducts research projects on microcystins in food web and toxin biomagnification, Lectures on cyanobacteria research presented in Lake Ecology (40 students) and General Ecology (98 students), Zoology 400 (28 students). Summer program Project SMART (12 high school students) included research on remote sensing of cyanobacteria and toxins. UNH Connect program (August 2014, 2 week course for incoming Freshmen, Introduced concepts of toxic cyanobacteria to 4 H class with UNH Cooperative Extension (Manchester NH) during Stream Safari (August 2014). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Graduate training: PhD thesis on cyanobacteria toxins in lake food webs (Amanda Murby) to be completed Spring 2016. Senior theses: Elizabeth Orlowicz Filtering efficiency and feeding mechanisms of Daphnia pulex on Microcystis aeruginosa and Nannochloropsis, 2012); Jessica D. Waller (Kairomone induction of neckteeth in Daphnia ambigua); Sean Perry (Regulation of aerosolized cyanotoxins, Current), Katie Langley (Received UNH 2014 summer SURF grant to conduct Hatch project experiments on cyanobacteria in aerosols from Lake Attitash). Extensive research training of UNH undergraduates working on a variety of research problems related to the Hatch Project. Since 2011, 51 undergraduates of have conducted independent studies in our laboratory. For example, fall 2014, 20 undergraduates worked on the following 12 research questions: Renee Loeffel, Renee Haley, Jess O'Toole (Detection of cyanoxins in tree cores); Alex Alterisio, Sonja Malinski (Microcystins in Wild Blueberries); Alexis Mack , Sean Perry (Cyanobacteria Cells in Lake Aerosols); Ryan Brown (Testing the Use of Hand-held Fluorometers for Cyanobacteria Monitoring); Ben Gallo, Anna Alexandrou (Bioaccumulation of Cyanotoxins in Fish); Krista Ciaccio (Accumulation of Cyanotoxins in Failed Common Loon Eggs); Lydia Birch and Marina Garwood (Seasonal Changes in Cyanobacteria Composition in Lake Attitash); Kara Foley (Nitrogen Analysis of Lake Water Samples); Margot Popecki (Daphnia Gene Regulation by Toxic Microcystis); Julien Klaudt-Moreau and Jess Eisfeller (Lab Culturing of Lake Toxigenic Cyanobacteria); Dan Stevens , Rebecca Migotsky (Development of On-Line Key to Toxic Cyanobacteria in New England); Brea Ardvinson (Photosynthetic and Metabolic Activity in Benthic Nostoc). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results of 2013 summer lake testing for cyanobacteria (cyanobacteria identification and cell counts with fluorometry) were summarized in Highlight Reports (a novel water quality report card) sent to the following lake associations and towns in spring, 2014: Baboosic Lake (Amherst/Merrimack), Naticook Lake (Merrimack), Goose Pond (Cannan, Hanover and Lyme), Lake Kanasatka (Moultonborough), Nippo Pond (Barrington). We frequently have groups (e.g Newburyport High School, UNH Biology classes, parents and prospective students during university open house) tour our laboratory facilities where we demonstrate our testing equipment and show examples of cyanobacteria in water samples using microscopy displayed on large, high definition monitors. February 2014 we presented our research to members of a design team from the Boston Museum of Science. We are currently collaborating with the BMS to develop interactive displays on toxic cyanobacteria for What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Reported incidences of harmful cyanobacteria blooms in freshwaters (HCBs), formerly referred to has harmful algal blooms, have increased worldwide. There are also frequent reports of deaths of domestic animals such as dogs and cattle caused by drinking water contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria. Recent evidence indicates toxins produced by aquatic cyanobacteria are linked to a wide array of human diseases including liver tumors and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. Water bodies with frequent HCBs may have higher incidences of diseases such as ALS, although the means of transmission of the toxins are not known. The primary objective of this study was to examine the transfer of microcystins, toxins produced by most HCBs, both within the lakes and ponds and their potential routes of exposure to humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Our focus is on microcystins (MCs) since these liver toxins are widely regarded as some of the most serious and widespread group of cyanobacteria toxins. Although the bottom sediments are often ignored in lake studies, we found that the MC levels in the lake sediments were generally more than an order of magnitude greater than in the water column, suggesting that cyanotoxins were a concern for NH lakes and benthic sampling could be a sensitive indicator method to detect and predict MCs in NH lakes. We also found significant bioaccumulation of MC in filter feeding freshwater mussels with heavy accumulations in the hepatopancreas (combined digestive gland found in most shellfish). In addition, high concentrations of MCs were measured in both the phytoplankton and zooplankton, indicating the potential for biomagnification at higher levels in the lake food chain, such as in fish, thereby representing a potential source of toxins for humans and animals. Using Carbon-13 and Nitrogen-15 stable isotope and MC toxin analyses, we demonstrated that toxins in lakes are produced by the smallest cyanobacteria or picoplankton (0.2-2 um). This new finding that tiny cyanobacteria, not usually associated with toxic blooms, are potentially important in the transfer of cyanotoxins into the microcrustaceans and on up into the top predators in the aquatic food chain into fish and aquatic birds. In a collaboration with the Biodiversity Research Institute (Portland ME) we developed new methods in our lab to extract and measure cyanobacteria toxins in blood and feathers from the Common Loon, an apex predator in many of our lakes. We also determned that liver toxins microcystins were transferred into the fish and loons, possibly contributing to the recent disappearance of Common Loons from lakes in the Northeast and Western USA. These results indicate that lakewater may contain and transfer MCs when there are no visual signs of a cyanobacteria bloom. To this end, we have assisted the USEPA in presenting a series of six workshops to develop a citizen cyanobacteria monitoring program that utilizes a method that fluoresces a cyanobacteria pigment, measuring the abundance of the tiny toxic cyanobacteria that are not sampled with conventional plankton nets. Such a monitoring program will enable lake managers and farms using irrigation pond to easily check the level of cyanobacteria in the irrigation water. This New England cyanobacteria monitorning program (RI, CT, MA, VT, ME, NH) will begin its second year this summer. As an additional tool to be used for citizen cyanobacteria monitoring our lab (A. Murby) developed a web-based simple identification guide to the common species of toxic cyanobacteria in New England (http://cfb.unh.edu/CyanoKe/indexCyanoQuickGuide.html). This taxonomic key is now being use to train state agencies and citizens interested in confirming the presence of toxic cyanobacteria in lakes, irrigation ponds and water supplies. As part of this training, images captured by lake monitors are sent to our laboratory for confirmation of their identifications. Additionally, we have determined that MCs may be transferred to crops. For example, MCs were detected in lettuce that was irrigated with water from a lake that frequently experiences blooms of cyanobacteria. Similarly, we found moderate to high levels of MCs in blueberries grown near a lake with persistent cyanobacteria blooms. Soil samples taken at eight sites within 50 meters of from the shore of a cyanobacteria-dominated lake tested positive for MCs as well as for living cyanobacteria. These findings indicate that growers need to be informed about the importance of monitoring cyanobacteria levels grown near contaminated lakes or irrigated with pond water. This project also initiate studies to determine whether cyanobacteria and their toxins are transported as aerosols from lake water as aerosols to the surrounding lakeshore and watershed. We developed and tested a new method for measuring cyanobacteria cells and their toxins in the aerosols released by lakes (Murby and Haney 2015). With this method, we were able to show that the aerosols from 8 lakes all contained the toxin microcystins as well as cells of cyanobacteria. Surprisingly, although the cells and toxin levels in the aerosols were correlated with the density of cyanobacteria in the water, the production of the airborne cyanobacteria was not dependent on wind disturbances of the water. Estimates from our aerosol studies on Lake Attitash, MA, indicate a lakeshore resident could inhale over 0.7-2.7 ng MC per 24 h under non-bloom conditions, well below World Health Organization limit of 200 ng MC per day for adults. We also estimated lake residents could inhale over 5,000,000 cyanobacteria cells in a 24 h period, although at this time there is no information on the cumulative health risk posed to humans, farm animals or wildlife from aerosolized cyanobacteria cells, as cyanobacteria frequently produce more than one toxin. This work also indicates aerosols are a potentially important novel pathway for toxins to move from water bodies to crops, an area of ressearch to be addressed in future studies. Our aerosol method has been recently used for risk assessment for cyanotoxin exposure by researchers at the ALS Clinic at the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and was also used researchers at Bowling Green University during the summer, 2015, to study aerosol release of cyanotoxins during cyanobacteria blooms on Lake Erie.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Banack, S.A. T. Caller, P. Henegan, J. Haney, A. Murby, J. Metcalf, J. Powell, P. Cox and E. Stommel. Detection of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine from a Lake surrounded by Cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Toxins 7(2):322-326.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Murby, A.L. and J.F.Haney. 2015. Field and laboratory methods to monitor lake aerosols for cyanobacteria and microcystins. Aerobiologica:DOI 10.1007/s10453-015-9409-z
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Primary audiences include the State Watershed and Drinking Water Divisions of the NH Department of Environmental Services, towns, and lake associations. Water quality test results from our study have been used by towns (eg Dover Sommersworth Tuftonboro NH) lake associations (eg Nippo Pond Association, Lake Attitash Association, Province Lake Association) and citizens to assist in cyanotoxin testing, planning for the development and remediation of their lakes. Other audiences include the US Environmental Protection Agency, with whom we are currently developing in collaboration with state agencies from NH, VT, ME, RI, MA and CT a Citizen Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program and an on-line based "Bloom Watch" for citizen reporting of cyanobacteria blooms throughout New England. Through this project we also train students in our classes on the subject of cyanotoxins and lake management as well as in the techniques for measuring water quality and analyzing data. Presentations at scientific meetings and workshops included 1) Annual meeting of the Northeast Plant Management Society, invited speaker (January 2014) 2) USEPA Region 1 Cyanobacteria Monitoring in New England (February 2014) 3) NEIWPCC Cyanobacteria Workshop, Lowell, MA (March 2014) 4) USEPA Region 1 Workshop on Cyanobacteria Monitoring (July 2014) 5) Workshop on Field Sampling of Cyanobacteria Toxins, held at UNH with Biodiversity Research Institute (Portland, ME) and Tufts University Wildlife Veterinary Medicine Program (June 2014) 6) Province Lake Water Quality Steering Committee, presentations on cyanotoxin results, assisted with lake management plans (October 2014) 7) interactive lab visit by Newburyport, MA, Learning Outpost (6 students, 3 teachers) to learn about cyaobacteria. The following participants were directly involved in the project through workshops, presentations, co-operative projects, classroom lectures, laboratory training and participation in the Citizen-based Cyanobacteria Monitoring Program: University of New Hampshire (UNH) students in classes (148), high school students in Project SMART (33), UNH undergraduate students trained in cyanobacteria toxin research in Haney laboratory (51), faculty collaborators and patients at the ALS Clinic at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, UNH Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Tufts School Veterinary Medicine, MA Nature Conservancy Cape Cod, Loon Preservation Committee, Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Town planners, decision-makers and Conservation Commissions from the NH towns of Guilford, Laconia, Dover, Milton, Holderness, Meredith, Barrington, and the MA towns of Amesbury, Merrimac and Nantucket), Meredith, Lakes Region Planning Commission, North Country Resource Conservation and Development Agency, the Belknap County Conservation District and the State and Federal Agencies (eg NH Dept Environmental Services, NH Office of Energy and Planning, MA Dept Public Health, Maine Dept Environmental Protection, US EPA Laboratory Chelmsford MA, US EPA Atlantic Ecology Division RI), lake association members, lake shore residents, New England Interstate Water Pollution Control Commission, Maine Rural Water Association, public water suppliers (CT MA ME NH RI). Cyanobacteria research included in following classes: Field Studies in Lake Ecology (12 students) conducts research projects on microcystins in food web and toxin biomagnification, Lectures on cyanobacteria research presented in Lake Ecology (40 students) and General Ecology (98 students), Zoology 400 (28 students). Summer program Project SMART (12 high school students) included research on remote sensing of cyanobacteria and toxins. UNH Connect program (August 2014, 2 week course for incoming Freshmen0, Introduced concepts of toxic cyanobacteria to 4 H class with UNH Cooperative Extension (Manchester NH) during Stream Safari (August 2014). Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Graduate training: PhD thesis on cyanobacteria toxins in lake food webs (Amanda Murby) to be completed Spring 2015. Senior theses: Elizabeth Orlowicz Filtering efficiency and feeding mechanisms of Daphnia pulex on Microcystis aeruginosa and Nannochloropsis, 2012); Jessica D. Waller (Kairomone induction of neckteeth in Daphnia ambigua); Sean Perry (Regulation of aerosolized cyanotoxins, Current), Katie Langley (Received UNH 2014 summer SURF grant to conduct experiments on cyanobacteria in aerosols from Lake Attitash). Extensive research training of UNH undergraduates working on a variety of research problems related to the Hatch Project. Since 2011, 51 undergraduates of have conducted independent studies in our laboratory. For example, fall 2014, 20 undergraduates worked on the following 12 research questions: Renee Loeffel, Renee Haley, Jess O'Toole (Detection of cyanoxins in tree cores); Alex Alterisio, Sonja Malinski (Microcystins in Wild Blueberries); Alexis Mack , Sean Perry (Cyanobacteria Cells in Lake Aerosols); Ryan Brown (Testing the Use of Hand-held Fluorometers for Cyanobacteria Monitoring); Ben Gallo, Anna Alexandrou (Bioaccumulation of Cyanotoxins in Fish); Krista Ciaccio (Accumulation of Cyanotoxins in Failed Common Loon Eggs); Lydia Birch and Marina Garwood (Seasonal Changes in Cyanobacteria Composition in Lake Attitash); Kara Foley (Nitrogen Analysis of Lake Water Samples); Margot Popecki (Daphnia Gene Regulation by Toxic Microcystis); Julien Klaudt-Moreau and Jess Eisfeller (Lab Culturing of Lake Toxigenic Cyanobacteria); Dan Stevens , Rebecca Migotsky (Development of On-Line Key to Toxic Cyanobacteria in New England); Brea Ardvinson (Photosynthetic and Metabolic Activity in Benthic Nostoc). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Results of 2013 summer lake testing for cyanobacteria (cyanobacteria identification and cell counts with fluorometry) were summarized in Highlight Reports (a novel water quality report card) sent to the following lake associations and towns in spring, 2014: Baboosic Lake (Amherst/Merrimack), Naticook Lake (Merrimack), Goose Pond (Cannan, Hanover and Lyme), Lake Kanasatka (Moultonborough), Nippo Pond (Barrington). We frequently have groups (e.g Newburyport High School, UNH Biology classes, parents and prospective students during university open house) tour our laboratory facilities where we demonstrate our testing equipment and show examples of cyanobacteria in water samples using microscopy displayed on large, high definition monitors. February 2014 we presented our research to members of a design team from the Boston Museum of Science. We are currently collaborating with the BMS to develop interactive displays on toxic cyanobacteria for a new wing at the museum to open in 2015. We are developing a taxonomic key to cyanobacteria, specially designed for citizen lake monitors with minimal training. The key, "The Dirty Dozen: a guide to the toxic cyanobacteria in New England Lakes", offers simple image-based identifications and also provides additional information on the ecology and habitats for each cyanobacterium as well as information on the types of toxins each species can produce. Future additions to the key will include a simple guide to developing a citizen cyanobacteria monitoring program. The dirty dozen key has been developed by graduate and undergraduate students in our laboratory and thus has provided students with a valuable learning opportunity. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? During the next reporting period research will be conducted on three areas not yet completed, i.e. a) examination of aerosol transport of cyanotoxins b) uptake by crops and c) cyanobacteria and toxins in soils. The next stage of experiments with lake aerosols will 1) examine factors regulating emission of aerosolized cyanotoxins, such as temperature, plankton composition, wind, and time of day. Tests will be conducted in the field as well as under controlled conditions in the laboratory and 2) measure dispersion of lake aerosol from the lake by collecting aerosols at varying distances from the source lake, i.e. a lake experiencing a cyanobacteria bloom. This will provide a model of exposure to lake aerosols. This research will be tied in with the remaining questions concerning cyanotoxins in soils. During the dispersion experiments we will also take soil samples for testing of cyanotoxins. During our preliminary soil testing, we have developed a technique for extracting both cells and microcystins from soil samples. This will allow us to determine whether cyanotoxins detected in soils may be linked to lake-contaminated aerosols. There is also the possibility that some toxic cyanobacteria can survive in the surface of soils, potentially contributing to toxin transfer by direct soil incorporation Finally, we will conduct further test to corroborate our original findings that leafy vegetables can take up and accumulate microcystins when irrigated with lakewater containing toxic cyanobacteria, as we observed for lettuce grown with irrigation water from Lake Attitash. These experiments will be done "lake side" using water from a lake containing high levels of toxin producing cyanobacteria. We have presently identified two possible lakes where we can conduct these experiments. Additionally, wild crops, such as blueberries growing directly from the shoreline of contaminated lake water, will be further evaluated for cyanotoxins. The roots, leaves, and fruits will be tested separately.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Reported incidences of harmful cyanobacteria blooms in freshwaters (HCBs), formerly referred to has harmful algal blooms, have increased worldwide. There are also frequent reports of deaths of domestic animals such as dogs and cattle caused by drinking water contaminated with toxic cyanobacteria. Recent evidence indicates toxins produced by aquatic cyanobacteria are linked to a wide array of human diseases including liver tumors and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou Gehrig's disease. Water bodies with frequent HCBs may have higher incidences of diseases such as ALS, although the means of transmission of the toxins are not known. The primary objective of this study is to examine the transfer of microcystins, toxins produced by most HCBs, both within the lakes and ponds and their potential routes of exposure to humans, domestic animals and wildlife. Our focus is on microcystins (MCs) since these liver toxins are widely regarded as some of the most serious and widespread group of cyanobacteria toxins. Our research is examining transfers of MCs within lakes that may result in biomagnification at higher levels in the lake food chain, such as in fish, thereby representing a potential source of toxins for humans and animals. Additionally, we have determined that MCs may be transferred to crops. For example, MCs were detected in lettuce that was irrigated with water from a lake that frequently experiences blooms of cyanobacteria. Similarly, we found moderate to high levels of MCs in blueberries grown near a lake with persistent cyanobacteria. Soil samples taken at varying distances from the shore of a cyanobacteria-dominated lake tested positive for MCs as well as for living cyanobacteria. Currently tests to determine whether cyanobacteria and their toxins are transported from lake water as aerosols show evidence of airborne movement of both the toxins and cells of cyanobacteria. Aerosol testing was carried out on 8 lakes in New Hampshire as well as Lake Attitash, MA. Cyanobacteria cells as well as MCs were detected from each of the lakes. Our work with aerosols suggests a mechanism to disperse cyanotoxins directly to crops and humans that reside near lakes with HCBs.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Haney, J.F. and W. Lampert. 2013. Spatial avoidance of Microcystis aeruginosa by Daphnia: Fitness consequences and evolutionary implications. Limnol Oceanogr 58(6): 21222132
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Submitted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Banack, S.A. T. Caller, P. Henegan, J. Haney, A. Murby, J. Metcalf, J. Powell, P. Cox and E. Stommel. Detection of beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine from a Lake Surrounded by Cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. In review at MDPI Marine and Freshwater Toxins
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Primary audiences include the State Watershed and Drinking Water Divisions of the NH Department of Environmental Services, towns and lake associations. Results from our study have been used by towns, such as Dover (Town Planning, Dept Public Health), Meridith (Dept Drinking Water, Town Planning) and Sommersworth (Dept Recreation), lake associations (e.g. Milton Three Ponds Protective Association), Silver Lake Protective Association, Lake Pawtuckaway Protective Association) and citizens to assist in the planning for the development and remediation of their lakes. Other audiences include the US Environmental Protection Agency, with whom we are working to develop a cyanobacteria monitoring program for the six New England States (NH, ME, VT, MA, RI, CT and NY). Through this project we traing students in our classes on the topic of harmful cyanobacteria blooms and lake management, as well as in field and laboratory techniques to measure water quality, analyze data and write scientific reports for the public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Nine undergraduate students enrolled in Independent Research assist the project during the fall and spring semesters as well as in the summer. These students were trained how to run the toxin analyses using the ELISA antibody technique, as well as how to culture cyanobacteria and other lake plankton in the laboratory. Eight students in the Field Lake Ecology (taught by Haney and Murby) course were trained in the used of modern techniques for monitoring of water quality as well as specifically in the identification of cyanobacteria found in lakes and the presence of cyanobacteria toxins. The students in this class also produced reports that were made available to lake associations and other members of the public. Students in the Lake Management course (Haney and Schloss) utilized the results from our cyanobacteria toxin database to develop lake management strategies for four lakes that have cyanobacteria blooms. At the end of the semester the students presented their findings and recommendations at a public meeting, attended by members of the lake associations. These reports have proven valuable in assisting communities and lake associations in developing lake management strategies to prevent harmful cyanobacteria blooms. This also provides valluable training and experience for the students involoved. In the General Ecology class, a winter ecology study of a polluted lake introduced the 85 students to the topic of the harmful effects of cyanobacteria on the lake wildlife as well as its potential risks to public health. Graduate Students: 2 PhD (A. Murby and S. Bradt) Faculty: J. Haney (Dept Biological Sciences,DBS, UNH), J. Schloss (UNH Cooperative Extension and DBS) Professionals: Hilary Snook, Laboratory Director, US EPA Laboratory, Region 1, Chelmsford, MA. UNH Stable Isotope Laboratory (E. Hobbie); UNH Glycomics Molecular Biology. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? A presentation on the monitoring of cyanobacteria and their toxins was given on June 22, 2013 to the annual meeting of the Maine Congress of Lakes Associations as well as at the New England Cyanobacteria Monitoring and Analysis Workshop (June 26, 2013). Talks on the Hatch research were also given by Haney, Murby and Schloss at Wolfboro, NH to residents of Lake Winnipesaukee region on behalf of the UNH Foundation. Student Lake Management Reports on water quality and lake cyanobacdteria issues were given to the Lake Attitash Association, Towns of Dover and Sommersworth, NH and the Lake Powtuckaway Protective Association. During the summer, samples of blooms of cyanobacteria were collected by lay monitors and sent to our laboratory for analysis. Reports of the findings (identifcation of the cyanobacteria and presence of microcystins) were communicated to the lake associations through our Lake Lay Monitoring Program. As a result of severe bloom incidents at Province Lake (NH, ME) in the summer, 2013, at the request of the Acton-Wakefield Watershed Alliance, Wakefield, NH (L. Schier, Executive Director), the Field Lake Ecology class conducted a thorough sampling of the lake. Members of the Province Lake Association attended student presentations of the results of this study. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Goals of the next reporting period: 1. complete all analysis of field data related to the transfer of microcystins within the lake food web 2. conduct final testing of the laboratory method for testing lake aersols and analysis of toxin levels in the aerosols from field samples 3. measure the microcystin concentrations in the vegetables irrigated with cyanobacteria-rich lake water 4. determine the levels of microcystins in soils
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Harmful blooms of cyanobacteria threathen our aquatic ecosystems as well as public health. Results from this study indicate liver toxins produced by cyanobacteria accumulate in the various components of the food chain, from microscoptic forms of plants and animals to fish. We have been working closely with lake associations, state agencies and the US EPA to disseminate results from our research as well as to assist in developing lake management practices to reduce nutrient pollution and the effects of cyanobacteria blooms. Our data clearly show that increases in phosphorus in lakes leads to greater toxicities of the plankton and higher levels of cyanobacteria toxins higher up the food chain, into mussels, crayfish and fish. There is an increasing awareness of state agencies and citizen monitoring groups that standards need to be set for the allowable levels of cyanobacteria toxins such as microcystns in lakes used for recreation and/or drinking water. Our laboratory is recognized for its research on toxic cyanobacteria and is working with the New England Water Pollution and Control Commission, the US EPA and the six New England states to develop a unified approach to monitoring cyanobacteria and their toxins so that these parameters can be incorporated into the many existing citizen lake water quality monitoring programs that currently exist in the New England region. We have begun testing various methods of cyanobacteria monitoring, working with the NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. At the Spring 2014 meeting of the Cyanobacteria Monitoring and Analysis Workshop (to be held at the University of New Hampshire) we will present simplified methods of sampling and measuring cyanobacdteria that can be used in citizen monitoring programs, as well as a newly created on-line identification key for the cyanobacteria for non-specialists that can be used by lake association members and lake residents who are engaged in water quality monitoring programs. Goal 1 was to compare toxin levels in the food webs of nutrient polluted as well as pristine lakes. Field research comparing the transfer of microcystins in lakes of contrasting trophic conditions (Russell Pond, NH, Willand Pond, NH and Christine Lake) have been completed. Comparisons were made during the spring, summer and winter seasons of the level of microcystin toxins in the various components of the pelagic food web, including picoplankton, nano- and net phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish and mussels (when present). Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen were successfully measured in the food web fractions to determine the toxin transfer potentials. Goal 2, testing the use of stable isotopes to follow the flow of toxins in the food chain of the three lakes has been completed. We were successful in measuring the amount of the stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes in even the tiniest plankton fraction. The data are currently being analyzed and evaluated. Goal 3, investigating the movement of cyanobacteria toxins in lake aersols, has been carried out by developing a portable lake aerosol collector (PLAC). Collections of aerosols using the PLAC units were made on four lakes during the summer, 2013 by students working with the lake associations on Lake Sunapee and Mascoma Lake, NH. With assistance from members of the Lake Attitash Association we also placed PLAC units on Lake Attitash. Microscope counts of cyanobacteria cells collected in the aerosols have been made and toxin analysis are being completed. The PLAC units performed well and will be used for further collectdions this summer to assess the exposure levels near lakes. Goal 4 is the testing of aerosol production under controlled conditions. Pilot studies have been conducted examining the role of air turbulance and the presence of zooplankotn grazing. We will complete our testing of aerosol production under laboratory conditions, looking at the effects of light level and time of day. Goal 5, examining the accumulation of microcystin toxins in crops is partially completed. We conducted experiments adding toxic cyanobacdteria from laboratory cultures to the soils of potted plants grown in a greenhouse. Although some toxins were detected, we will retest these samples to confirm the results. With the assistance of the Lake Attitash Association (MA) also collected leafy vegetables irrigated with water from a lake with cyanobacteria blooms. These samples are currently being processed for toxin measurements. Goal 6 to determine contamination of soils with microcystins will be completed in the summer, 2014.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Haney, J.F. and W. Lampert. 2013. Spatial avoidance of Microcystis aeruginosa by Daphnia: Fitness consequences and evolutionary implications. Limnol Oceanogr. 58(6): 2122-2132.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Haney, J.f. et al. "An Image-Based Key to Stream Insects beta version 1.0 released April 2013. University of New Hampshire Center for Freshwater Biology
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Haney, J.F. et al. 2013. An Image-based Key to the Zooplankton of the Northeast, USA. Version 5.0. (released May 2013)
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Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Field sampling sites were established and seasonal sampling of study lakes was largely completed in November, 2012. This field research was part of the grant objective to examine the transfer of microcystins in lakes with contrasting levels of productivity (trophic levels). Two lakes (highly productive meso-eutrophic Willand Pond and the pristine oligotrophic Christine Lake) were sampled extensively on five occasions, covering five seasons (winter, spring, summer, fall, lake turnover). Three additional lakes were sampled less frequently (eutrophic Lake Attitash, MA, the oligotrophic Russell Pond, NH and the eutrophic York Pond, NH). During the fall semester 2012, as part of the UNH course entitled Field Studies in Lake Ecology, students were exposed to the concepts of cyanobacteria toxins in lakes and participated in field data collection and analysis of water quality parameters and cyanotoxins in the laboratory. Research from the Hatch grant also provided the theme for an experimental class entitled "Early Engagement" made up of selected Sophomore High School students with high potential for learning and conducting research. Water samples were cultured in the lab, picocyanoplankton were analyzed for toxins, DNA was extracted and sequenced. The students then performed a BLAST (DNA sequence similarity) search of the national gene database (Genbank) to determine the species present. The pre-college summer program Project SMART conducted research on the cyanobacteria in some of the Hatch Project study lakes and at the Isles of Shoals Marine Laboratory. The students presented the findings of their studies at a final meeting held for the public. Six undergraduate projects were conducted topics related to the objectives of the cyanobacteria research, including microcystins in freshwater mussels, sediments and toxicity of picoplankton. Results of this research were presented as papers in the UNH Center for Freshwater Biology Research on-line journal (cfb.unh.edu/publications.htm) and/or as posters at the annual UNH Undergraduate Research Conference. Talks on the Hatch cyanobacteria research were given in August 2012 (Murby, Haney and Schloss) to residents of Lake Winnipausaukee on behalf of the UNH Foundation as well as to UNH classes (Survey of Natural Resources and Introduction to Freshwater Resources by J. Schloss) and General Ecology (Haney) and Lake Ecology (Haney). Presentations on cyanobacteria monitoring were also given in June 2012 to citizens and professionals at the New England Chapter of the North American Lake Management Society (Murby and Haney) and in March 2012 at the Canadian Water Conference (Schloss). Talks were also given in the Summer 2012 for Project SMART (pre-college students) and the NSF supported "Connect Program" for minority students. Reports on water quality and human health issues were given to the Lake Attitash Association and citizens of Amesbury, MA (summers 2011 and 2012). Talks for the general public and decision makers were given at the Town of Wolfboro, NH (Shoreland Protection by Schloss) and to the Loon Preservation Society and the Squam Lake Association (Schloss). PARTICIPANTS: Pre-college: High School students (9) in Project SMART 2012. Undergraduate Students: Students (7) in Field Studies in Lake Ecology; Undergraduate students (10) training and conducting research during the past year Graduate Students: 2 PhD (A. Murby and S. Bradt) Faculty: J. Haney (Dept Biological Sciences, DBS, UNH), J. Schloss (UNH Cooperative Extension and DBS) Professionals: Hilary Snook, Laboratory Director, US EPA Laboratory, Region 1, Chelmsford, MA. UNH Stable Isotope Laboratory (E. Hobbie); UNH Glycomics Molecular Biology Laboratory (V. Reinhold, Director) State Agencies: NH Department of Environmental Services (J. Colburn, Lakes Coordinator; S. Carlson, Beach Inspection Program) Acton-Wakefield Watershed Alliance, Wakefield, NH (Linda Schier, Executive Director) City of Dover, City Planner and Environmental Director, Dover, NH Goose Pond Association Lake Associations and Non-governmental organizations: Lake Attitash Association, Amesbury, MA Mascoma Weed Watchers New Hampshire Lakes (T. O'Brien, President) Squam Lake Asociation, Holderness, NH The Indian Ponds Association members (Cape Cod) TARGET AUDIENCES: Students (college and pre-college), Scientists, Lake shore residents, Lake association members, Local and Regional decision makers, Source water protection and watershed managers, Surface drinking water suppliers, Public health and environmental agencies. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: A minor modification was made to the sampling design to sample two contrasting lakes during the five seasons rather than monthly from June through October. This allows us to examine the lake food web during lake overturn and winter stratification under the ice. Three additional reference lakes were also added to get a wider range of lake types. We do not expect any special or additional reporting to be necessary.
Impacts
Research disclosed a spatial heterogeneity of cyanobacteria and toxic microcystins (MCs) produced during blooms not always related to wind influence. Phycocyanin pigment fluorescence (PCf) was evaluated as an potential tool for estimating cyanobacteria densities. Its ease and speed of operation have important implications for monitoring cyanobacteria and MCs in lakes. PCf was also useful for estimating MC (toxin) concentrations among lakes of varying trophic status and was more significant than net collected cyanobacteria counts in predicting lake concentrations of MCs. Our research results have informed state, regional and federal agencies how to better sample for significant cyanobacteria and MC occurrences. We initiated a new method of monitoring cyanobacteria toxins, using the field collections by volunteer monitors in our UNH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program. The method involves toxicological analysis of subsamples "punched" from chlorophyll filters, routinely collected by lake monitors. This effort has grown into the first citizen-based MC monitoring program designed to assist lakes in developing cyanobacteria monitoring protocols and to provide MC analysis for lakes and drinking water supplies. Increased knowledge of cyanotoxins and cyanobacteria blooms has resulted in state and regional agencies working jointly with us and holding professional (water utilities, veterinarians, and agency staff) and public information sessions. The NH Dept of Environmental Services (NH DES) requested and received training on how to measure MCs in their lab and added a cyanobacteria bloom response protocol to their beach inspection program, developed two fact sheets regarding this and expanded their beach program web site to include significant coverage on blooms and MC. Working with the NH DES Source Water Protection program and town water supply utilities we initiated discussions to set state standards for MCs, suggesting sampling protocols they could employ. Specific assistance to the Town of Meredith resulted in their application for a source water protection grant to develop a MC monitoring program. In our teaching of Interdisciplinary Lakes Management we chose lakes with cyanobacteria bloom problems and our students have successfully interacted with local lake association members to increase their concern for, monitor further, and address the causes of the blooms. In Field Studies in Lake Ecology students have learned the ecology of cyanobacteria blooms and how to sample for and quantify MCs in lake water components. Students in this class also write manuscripts on the class research some of which are published and available to the public on-line as Research Series of the UNH Center for Freshwater Biology. In extension outreach research results have informed a wide range of stakeholders on how to best deal with cyanobacteria blooms. The use of our research data that show cyanobacteria MC levels increase with increasing total phosphorus concentrations in lake water was instrumental in the decision of town planners from three towns in the Lake Winnipesaukee watershed to work to set appropriately low in-lake phosphorus criteria for their communities.
Publications
- Murby, A., J. Haney and H. Snook. 2012. The Use of chlorophyll filters to estimate cyanotoxins in lake monitoring. J. Environ. Toxicology (pending)
- Huey, K. 2011. Invasion of a littoral cladoceran, Sida crystallina, into the pelagic zone of Christine Lake, NH and its potential impact on the phytoplankton community. UNH Center Freshwat. Biol. Res. Vol 13 (2): 10-17. (not reported earlier)
- Travers, B, A.L. Murby and J.F. Haney. 2011. Bioaccumulation of microcystins by freshwater mussels in Mystic Lake and Middle Pond, MA. UNH Center Freshwat. Biol. Res. Vol 13 (1): 1-9. (not reported earlier).
- Murby, A. Testing the Role of Picocyanobacteria in the Transfer of Microcystins Through the Lake Food Web. Poster, Gordon Research Conference, Mycotoxins/Phycotoxins, Colby College, ME, June 2011 (not in earlier report).
- Mooers, G., Drapeau, W., Palmer, A., Do Our Most Pristine Lakes Contain Toxigenic Cyanobacteria Poster, Project SMART, July 2012.
- Paz, N., Migotsky, R., LaGarenne,R. Detecting Toxic Cyanobacteria: The Effectiveness of the Handheld Hyperspectral Reflectometer. Poster, Project SMART. July 2012.
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