Nuisance algae characterization and management West M. Bishop Algae and Aquatic Research Scientist

SePRO Corporation SePRO Research and Technology Campus, 16013 Watson Seed Farm Rd., Whitakers, NC 27891 252-801-1623 (mobile); [email protected] (email)

Outline 1. Identification/ Classification/ Description 2. Negative Impacts 3. Ecology and Proactive Management 4. Reactive Management

Introduction to Algae Phyla • Chlorophyta – Green algae

• Cyanophyta – Blue-green algae

• Charophyta – Plant like, erect

• Euglenophyta – Flagellated, eye spot (some red)

Introduction to Algae Phyla • Pyrrophyta – Dinoflagellates, transverse flagellum

• Bacillariophyta – Diatoms, silica wall

• Chrysophyta – Yellow-green

• Haptophyta – Golden algae

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Lyngbya

Cyanophyta

filamentous, toxin/taste and odor producer, mucilaginous, mat-former

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Prymnesium parvum “golden alga”

Haptophyta

Unicellular, toxin producer, planktonic, flagellated

Algae name

Phylum

Microcystis, Anabaena Cyanophyta Aphanizomenon, Planktothrix, etc.

Characteristics

Colonial, filamentous, toxin producer, mucilaginous, planktonic, scum-former

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Euglena

Euglenophyta

Unicellular, potential toxin-producer, planktonic, scum-former, flagellated

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Spirogyra “silk algae”

Chlorophyta

Filamentous, mucilaginous, mat-former

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Pithophora “Cotton algae, Horsehair algae”

Chlorophyta

Filamentous, mat-former, branched, Akinetes

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Nostoc

Cyanophyta

Colonial, softer gel balls

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Chara “Muskgrass”

Charophyta

Plant-like, smelly, rough

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Nitellopsis/ Nitella

Charophyta

Plant-like, smoother

The Algae • Diverse Classification (many kingdoms)

• Elaborate Characteristics

• No true roots, stems or leaves • Over 30,000 species • Identification – Important in determining management

Dispersion • Humans • Wildlife – Birds, Fish

• Air • Movement

The good?

The bad

Problematic Algae Drinking/irrigation

Algal impacts

Economic

Tourism Property values

Toxins /taste & odor compounds

Ecological

Disrupt habitat/ Outcompete Water characteristics

(Speziale et al. 1991; Falconer 1996; WHO 2003)

Algae Impacts • Secondary Compounds – Toxins • • • •

Hepatotoxins “liver” Neurotoxins “brain” LPS “stomach” Aplysiatoxins “skin”

– Taste and odor • Geosmin “dirty” • MIB “fishy”

Harr et al. 2008

Hepatotoxins Microcystins, Nodularin, Cylindrospermopsin

Microcystins LR

(Also nephrotoxin; affects kidneys)

Neurotoxins Anatoxins, Saxitoxin, Neosaxitoxin, BMAA (β-N-methylamino-L-alanine) Avian Vacuolar Myelinopathy (AVM)

Parkinsons Dementia Complex (PDC) and Alzheimer’s

Elk deaths

Taste and Odor Compounds Geosmin

2-methylisoborneol (MIB) We can detect ~10 ppt in water

Watson, 2003

cyc Hep Hex Htd Merc Nonenal Ott tri-meth

b-cyclocitral heptadec-cis-ene cis-3-hexane-1-ol hepta-trans, cis 2,4,dienal isopropyl mercaptan 2-trans-nonenol Octa-trans, cis 1,3,5-triene trimethylamine

How are we exposed?

Who is impacted? • Dogs – Mahmood et al. 1988, Gunn et al. 1992, Edwards et al. 1992, Wood et al. 2007, Puschner et al. 2008

• Cows – Kerr 1987; Mez et al. 1997; Loda et al. 1999

• Pigs, ducks – Cook et al. 1989

• Sheep – Carbis et al. 1995

Exposure Analysis Toxin Group

Toxin Name

Exposure Signs & Symptoms

Hepatotoxins (liver/kidney)

Microcystins

Numbness of lips, tingling in fingers/toes, dizziness, headache, diarrhea, jaundice, shock, abdominal pain/distention, weakness, nausea/vomiting, severe thirst, rapid/weak pulse, acute pneumonia

Nodularins Cylindrospermopsin

Neurotoxins (brain)

Anatoxins Saxitoxins β-Methylamino-Lalanine

Dermatitis/Gastrointestin al (skin/digestive)

Aplysiatoxins Lipopolysaccharides

Tingling, burning, numbness, drowsiness, incoherent speech, paralysis, weakness, staggering, convulsions, difficulty in breathing, vomiting, muscle twitching, gasping, backward arching of neck in birds, and death Rash, redness, burning, skin irritation, acute dermatitis, hives, blisters, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea

Lyngbyatoxin modified Codd et al. 1999; WHO 1999; Graham 2007, Jewet et al. 2008

Ecological drivers and proactive management

2007 EPA National Lakes Assessment • 46% of waters are eutrophic/hyper-eutrophic

Natural

Man Made

• Nutrient levels are second biggest issue threatening waters • Regulations – NPDES Carpenter, S.R. 2008. Phosphorus control is critical to mitigating eutrophication. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 105:11039–11040.

Statistical assessment of health of ponds, lakes, reservoirs

Sources of Nutrients • • • • • • • •

Fertilizer Pet waste Wildlife Livestock/agriculture Municipal wastewater Industrial effluent Atmospheric deposition Internal cycling

NPDES Section 2.2.2 b. Pest Management Options

Intensity of Management • Biomass correlation – Liebig’s law of the minimum – Critical burden • Mass/mass relationship • Rate calculation Schindler, D.W., Hecky, R. E., Findlay, D. L., Stainton, M. P., Parker, B. R., Paterson, M., Beaty, K. G., Lyng, M. & Kasian, S. E. M. 2008 Eutrophication of lakes cannot be controlled by reducing nitrogen input: results of a 37 year whole ecosystem experiment. Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 105, 11 254–11 258.

Phosphorus is key

Cyanobacteria and phosphorus • Fix Nitrogen (dependent on P availability) – (Paerl 1990, 1991; Stewart and Alexander 1971)

• Low N:P ratio dominate – (Smith 1983; Seale et al. 1987; Ghadouani et al 2003)

• Migrate to sediments to acquire phosphorus – (Perakis et al. 1996; Barbiero and Welch 1992)

• Store phosphorus – (Ganf and Oliver 1982; Kromkamp et al 1989)

• Rapidly uptake – (Jacobson and Halman 1982)

Phosphorus (Evil P) Mitigation • External Inputs • Fertilizer, stormwater runoff BMP, atmosphere, biota • Internal accumulation - TN:TP ratio 5:1 cyanobacteria overwhelmingly dominant artificially induced (Ghadouani et al. 2003) - Low TN:TP cyanobacteria dominate (Lake Michigan) (Seale et al. 1987) - TN:TP ratio 29:1, dominated by green algae (Smith 1983; 12 lakes throughout the world) - Si:P < 25:1 Microcystis dominates, more silica more Asterionella (Holm & Armstrong 1981)

• Carbon, Light, Temperature (>24C), Moving water

Phosphorus Management Options • In situ management – Lanthanum modified bentonite (Phoslock®, specific, no buffer, permanent) – Aluminum sulfate (Alum, non-specific, pH/other impacts) – Algaecide combined with phosphorus remover (SeClear) – Polymers (Floc Log, Chitosan) – Iron (non-specific, release)/ Calcium (high pH only, release)

• Other – Aeration (oxygenate benthic layers) – Dredging (remove/re-suspension possible) – Bacteria?

Phosphorus Mitigation Efficacy • • • •

8.2 surface acres; Lake Lorene, WA Avg. depth 5 feet, max. depth 12 feet Multi-purpose lake, community focal point Cyanobacteria blooms, toxins (mcy >2,000 ppb; atx >100ppt)

Lake Lorene, WA Summary

August 2011

Phosphorus Summary 120.0 TP

100.0

FRP

ug/L

80.0

60.0

July 2012

40.0

20.0

0.0 6/11/2012

7/11/2012

8/11/2012

9/11/2012

10/11/2012

Lanthanum/Bentonite (Phoslock®) Application

Discussion/Summary • Phosphorus is a factor in water resource management

• Phosphorus tied to intensity of management and nuisance algae selection • In situ mitigation is critical to address cause of negative water quality – Legacy P

• Phosphorus mitigation integration can have significant impacts

Algae Succession

Turbulent mixing • Huisman et al. 2005

Aeration • Take the buoyancy (scum) advantage out of play • Temperature homogenation • Carbon addition • Keep circulated to select for better types of algae.. usually • Oxygenated benthic zone to decrease internal phosphorus cycling, other sediment gas release

Pretty good mixing, still toxic cyanos

Algae name

Phylum

Characteristics

Raphidiopsis /Anabaena planctonica

Cyanophyta

Unicellular, planktonic, growing in moving water

Light Harvesting Pigments • Absorb light at different wavelengths – Reflect different colors

• Different functions • Diagnostic of different groups • Carotenoids Algal Pigment

– Carotenes v. xanthophylls

• Chlorophylls • Phycobilins

Chlorophyll a Chlorophyll b

Divisions of algae and pigments they contain

Chlorophyta (Green algae)

Cyanophyta (Cyanobacte ria)

Bacillariophy ta (Diatoms)

Pyrrophyta (Dinoflagella tes)

Haptophyta (Golden algae)

X

X

X

X

X

X

Fucoxanthin

X

Peridinin Phycocyanin

X X

X

X

Dyes

Light Absorbance Spectrum: SePRO Blue 0.0200 SePRO Blue 64oz/4AF 0.0180 0.0160

Absorbance (OD)

0.0140 0.0120 0.0100 0.0080 0.0060 0.0040 0.0020

0.0000 350

400

450

500

550

600

Light Wavelength

650

700

750

800

Reactive Management

Control Techniques • Action Options • Mechanical • harvesters, sonication

• Physical • dyes, aeration, raking

• Biological • bacteria, grass carp, tilapia

• Chemical

Biological • Grass carp preferences – Hydrilla >> Lyngbya

• Viability of algae • Other

USEPA Registered Algaecides • • • •

Diquat Dibromide Endothall Peroxides Copper – Chelated v. free ion

• Adjuvants

How copper works (dose) • Electron transport chain disruption (Jursinic and Stemler 1983)

• Combine with glutathione (GSH) prevents cell division (Stauber and Florence 1997) • Inhibits enzyme catalase and others, free radical susceptibility (Stauber and Florence 1997) • Interfere with cell permeability and binding of essential elements (Sunda and Huntsman 1983)

Copper formulation comparison Algae

factor

ABaF = [Cu] absorbed/ ([Cu] adsorbed + [Cu] in water)

Infusion – Penetrates mucilage, colonies, filaments, mats, cell walls – Independent of typical uptake mechanisms – Not subject to desorption or amelioration factors

Peroxide algaecides • Oxidize algae and other organic compounds • Can be selective to some blue-green algae • Breaks down into oxygen and water • Relatively safe to desirable non-target species

Drinking Water Reservoir: Algae control

Pre-treatment: 5-21-12 High density filter clogging cyanobacteria

Post-treatment (PAK® 27): 05-31-12 Increased water clarity – significant control

Summary • Algae are diverse and becoming more problematic in freshwater resources • Algae can restrict uses of a water resource and pose threats to wildlife and humans • Both Proactive and Reactive techniques should be considered for efficient algae management • Algae characteristics, algaecide formulation, and water chemistry can all impact control