Harmful Algal Blooms
The Ohio Response
August 14, 2013
Today’s Discussion
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Developing Awareness
Developing Coordinated State Effort
Developing Recreational Response Strategy
Developing Public Water Supply Response Strategy
Developing Benchmark Criteria
Developing Advisory Protocols
Developing Sampling Strategies
Developing Tracking Methods
Developing Awareness
2007 National Lake Survey
• Purpose – Compare lakes nationwide
• 19 Ohio lakes randomly selected
• First time Ohio EPA collected water samples for
microcystin analysis
• Microcystin results ranged from ND - 78 ppb.
Summary of Microcystin Results from
National Lake Survey
• Nationwide, 30% of lakes had microcystin
– (Ranging from ND to 230 ppb)
• 7 of the 19 Ohio Lakes (36.8%) had detectable
microcystin
• 3 of Ohio lakes (10.5%) had levels > 1 ppb
USEPA’s Concerns
• According to USEPA, HABs are increasing in spatial
and temporal prevalence in the US and worldwide.
“Their highly potent toxins are a significant hazard for
human health and ecosystem viability.”
• Cyanobacteria and their toxins are on USEPA’s Office
of Water Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring
Regulation List 3 and Contaminant Candidate List.
Comparative Toxicity - Highly Potent
(AWWA Webcast)
Compound
LD50 (μg /kg)
Compound
LD50 (μg /kg)
Saxitoxin
9
Ricin
0.02
Anatoxin-a(s)
20
Cobra Toxin
20
Microcystin
LR
50
Curare
500
Anatoxin-a
50
Strychnine
2000
Toxin Reference Doses
Dioxin (0.000001 mg/kg-d)
Toxicity of Algal
Toxins Relative to
Other Toxic
Compounds found
in Water
• Reference Dose =
amount that can be
ingested orally by a
person, above which
a toxic effect may
occur, on a milligram
per kilogram body
weight per day basis.
Microcystin LR (0.000003 mg/kg-d)
Saxitoxin (0.000005 mg/kg-d)
PCBs (0.00002 mg/kg-d)
Cylindrospermopsin (0.00003 mg/kg-d)
Methylmercury (0.0001 mg/kg-d)
Anatoxin-A (0.0005 mg/kg-d)
DDT (0.0005 mg/kg-d)
Selenium (0.005 mg/kg-d)
Botulinum toxin A (0.001 mg/kg-d)
Alachlor (0.01 mg/kg-d)
Cyanide (0.02 mg/kg-d)
Atrazine (0.04 mg/kg-d)
Fluoride (0.06 mg/kg-d)
Chlorine (0.1 mg/kg-d)
Aluminum (1 mg/kg-d)
Ethylene Glycol (2 mg/kg-d)
Ohio EPA’s Initial Response
• 2007 - National Lake Survey
• 2008 - Initiation of new Ohio EPA Inland Lakes
Monitoring Program
• 2008 - Formation of a Harmful Algal Bloom Workgroup
and Initiative
• 2009 - Microcystin results from National Lake Survey
released. Sampling for microcystin at selected lakes
2010 Illnesses Reported
Human illnesses reported to ODH in 2010 related to recreational algal toxin
exposure
48 (probable and suspected)
8
9
6
3
2
1
19
Grand Lake St. Marys (and 3 dog deaths)
Western Lake Erie
Burr Oak State Park (and 2 dog deaths)
Deer Creek
Lake Alma
Lake Hope
Lake Mac-O-Chee (YMCA Camp Wilson)
HAB STRATEGY
Recreational Waters
Why Develop a Strategy?
–Need to protect the public (PWS users and recreational users)
–Need for common definitions
–Need for consistent sampling protocol
–Need for thresholds that protect entire human population
–Need for consistent advisory language
–Need unified outreach strategy
–Need for ODH/ODNR/OEPA to continue working together
– Need for defined agency roles
–Need for One-Stop Shop Guidance (from contacts to forms)
State of Ohio Harmful Algal Bloom
Response Strategy
Recreational HAB Response Strategy
http://www.epa.state.oh.us/dsw/HAB.aspx
- or www.ohioalgaeinfo.com
Contact - Linda Merchant-Masonbrink
(Division of Surface Water) 614-644-2135
Ohio’s Recreational Strategy
• First released June 2011. Revised April 2012.
• ODH/OPEPA/ODNR Cooperative Effort
• Sets recreational thresholds and sampling protocols.
• Advisory system
Response Program, Not Monitoring Program
• Focus- State Park Lakes
• Purpose- Protect Public Health
World Health Organization
vs
Ohio Thresholds
• There are no federal criteria for any cyanotoxin
• WHO developed thresholds for microcystin only for a 60 kg adult
• Adult threshold is 20 ppb for recreation and 1 ppb for drinking
water.
•Ohio determined thresholds for 4 toxins detected in Ohio:
• Ohio recreational thresholds above are based on a 15 kg child.
• Ohio drinking water thresholds are based on a 60 kg adult.
Advisory Thresholds
Microcystin *
Anatoxin-a
Cylindrospermopsin
Saxitoxin*
Recreational Public
Health Advisory
6
80
5
0.8
Recreational No
Contact Advisory**
20
300
20
3
Drinking Water: Do
Not Drink Advisory
1
20
1
0.2
Drinking Water: Do
Not Use Advisory
20
300
20
3
Type of Advisory
*Microcystin
and Saxitoxin thresholds are intended to be applied to total concentrations of all reported congeners of
those toxins.
**A
No Contact Advisory is issued when toxin levels exceed the recommended threshold and there are one or more
probable cases of human illness or pet deaths attributable to HABs.
World Health Organization – Adult threshold is 20 ppb for recreation and 1 ppb for drinking water.
The State of Ohio recreational thresholds are based on a 15 kg child.
Agency Roles
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Ohio Department of Natural Resources
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Ohio Department of Health
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Monitor State Park lakes for HAB development
Sample when blooms sighted in contact recreational areas
Post advisories at State Park lakes
Outreach
Review illness reports and determine if related to algal toxins
Determine advisory thresholds in consultation with ODNR and Ohio EPA
Provide information to the public about safety
Advise public about private lake HAB issues
Outreach on health effects of HABs
Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
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Maintain database of all state reported HAB data
Maintain Ohioalgaeinfo.com for the State
Maintain the interactive map of HAB advisories at public lakes
Receive and review Bloom Reports and refer for follow-up
Advise public about private lake HAB issues
Assist with sampling at public lakes when needed
Assist in algae ID
Monitor and interpret satellite imagery
Train others in sample collection
Outreach
Outreach and Cooperation
• County Health Departments (Erie County Health
Department posts their own advisories)
• Veterinary Medical Association
• Corps of Engineers (cooperate with Ohio DNR on
lakes where they share a presence)
• Beach Managers
• Charter Boat Captains
• Stone Laboratory Workshops
2012 General SignageState Park Lakes
To protect the public from potential HABs
in areas of state park lakes that are
not monitored, signs with the following
language may be posted at lake access
points such as boat launch ramps and docks.
Recreational Public Health AdvisoryState Park Lakes
When cyanotoxin levels are equal to or exceed a
Recreational Public Health Advisory threshold,
whether or not a HAB is still present.
WARNING
No Contact Advisory –
State Park Lakes
When cyanotoxin levels are equal to or exceed
the Recreational No Contact Advisory thresholds
AND there are one or more probable cases of
human illness or pet deaths attributable to
cyanotoxins.
DANGER
SIGNAGE REMOVAL
After two consecutive samples taken at least 1 week
apart indicate cyanotoxin concentrations are below the
threshold levels AND the bloom is gone.
Beach Managers Guide
Outline of Strategy
sampling protocols for
State Park Beach
Managers
PWS Response Strategy
Public Water System HAB Response Strategy
http://www.epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/docu
ments/HAB/PWS-HAB-response.pdf
Contact - Heather Raymond or Laura Webb
(Division of Drinking and Groundwaters)
614-644-2752
Algal Toxin ThresholdsDrinking Water
Threshold (ug/L)
Microcystin**
Anatoxin-a
Cylindrospermopsin
Saxitoxin**
Do Not DrinkAll consumers
1 - 20
20 - 300
1 – 20
0.2 - 3
Do Not UseAll consumers*
> 20
> 300
> 20
>3
* These are also the concentrations for recreational no-contact thresholds.
** Microcystin and saxitoxin thresholds are intended to be applied to total concentrations
of all reported congeners of those toxins.
Note: In 2012, the Minnesota Department of Health completed a toxicity review of microcystin-LR through their Contaminants of Emerging
Concern program. Multiple-duration reference doses and drinking water values were derived. Drinking water guidance was set at 0.04 ppb,
which was intended to be protective of a short-term exposure for bottle-fed infants.
Ohio EPA PWS HAB Response Plan
• Public water systems are not required to monitor for toxins, but
monitoring is encouraged for systems with a history of HABs
• Ohio EPA will respond to bloom reports using a tiered approach:
– Observation
– Screening
– Toxin monitoring
• Takes advantage of additional types of data that is available or
may be obtained in coordination with PWS
– Algae identification, cell count, chlorophyll a, water quality information, field
test kits
• Use bloom severity, proximity to intake and PWS treatment
information to target algal toxin monitoring on drinking water
sources most at risk
Level 1 - Observation
• Bloom identified through:
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PWS surveillance/changes in water quality
HAB report via Ohio EPA website
NOAA HAB satellite surveillance
Ohio EPA water quality surveys
• Work with PWS to investigate and characterize
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Ask PWS to inspect reservoir for visual evidence of a bloom
Request PWS to submit Online Bloom Report Form
Determine if treatment is being affected
Evaluate changes in raw water quality
• Determine if go to screening or toxin monitoring, or continue
observation
When to Move to Level 2 or 3
Determined case by case, after considering the following factors:
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Bloom severity, location, and extent of reservoir affected
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Likelihood of cyanobacterial cells or toxins being drawn into the intake:
– Proximity of bloom to the intake
– Depth of the intake
– Wind/weather conditions
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Treatment in Use (Conventional only or advanced)
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Changes in raw water quality (e.g. taste and odor, turbidity or pH increases)
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Reported human illness or animal deaths
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Toxin screening data
Determine Bloom Severity
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Severe bloom (meets any of the following):
– Cyanobacteria cell count > 100,000 cells/mL
– Biovolume > 10 mm3/L
– Chlorophyll a > 50 µg/L
– Significant scum or surface accumulation is present and/or significant concentration of
cells are visible throughout the water column
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Moderate bloom (meets any of the following):
– Cyanobacteria cell count 10,000-100,000 cells/mL
– Biovolume 1-10 mm3/L
– Chlorophyll a 5-50 µg/L (note: proposed lake habitat use impairment level is > 14
µg/L for all but Western Allegheny Plateau, which is > 6.2 µg/L)
– Surface accumulation is present and/or bloom is visible throughout the water column
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Minor bloom (meets any of the following):
– Cyanobacteria cell count 4,000-10,000 cells/mL
– Biovolume 0.4-1 mm3/L
– Chlorophyll a 2-5 µg/L
– Some visual evidence of a bloom
Moving Between the Levels
Bloom
Severity
Likelihood of
Being Drawn into
the Intake
More likely
Severe
Less likely
More likely
Moderate
Less likely
More likely
Minor
Less likely
Advanced Treatment
Action
not in use, or not working properly
in use
not in use, or not working properly
in use
not in use, or not working properly
in use
not in use, or not working properly
in use
not in use, or not working properly
in use
not in use, or not working properly
in use
Sample Toxins
Sample Toxins
Screen
Screen
Sample Toxins
Screen
Screen
Observe
Screen
Observe
Observe
Observe
Level 2 - Screening
• Request PWS to assess the conditions in their source waters
• Screening options include:
– Phytoplankton analysis: identification of cyanobacteria genera present and cell
count or biomass information
– Field test kits for algal toxin analysis: quick tube or strip kits that provide an
indication of presence or absence of microcystin
• Determine whether to conduct additional screening, proceed to algal
toxin monitoring, or return to observation
Level 3 - Toxin Monitoring
• For PWS that conduct their own monitoring, Ohio EPA requests they
submit the results to Ohio EPA so duplicative sampling isn’t
necessary.
• Data from sampling conducted by the PWS will be posted on Ohio
EPA’s website only with the agreement of the PWS.
• Provide algal toxin sampling supplies to PWSs with history of HABs.
• If PWSs do not conduct their own monitoring and it is determined
necessary, Ohio EPA DDAGW district staff will collect samples for
toxin analysis.
Resources-Drinking Water
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Guidance to assist PWSs:
 Bloom identification and characterization guide
 Algaecide application fact sheet
 Reservoir management strategies fact sheet
 Screening tools: cell counts/biovolume, test kits
 HAB Response Strategy: thresholds and response protocol
 Laboratory and test kit list
 HAB Report Form
 Resources and references
 www.epa.state.oh.us/ddagw/hab.aspx
• AWWA Technology Committee white paper on treatment options for
water systems
TRACKING
Difficulty
Tracking HABs and Toxins
• Blooms are transient
• Blooms not always visible or may look like turbidity
• Not all cyanobacteria produce toxins, and those that do,
don’t produce the toxin all the time
• Many cyanobacteria produce multiple toxins
• Reason for toxin production unknown
• Toxins persist
NOAA processed satellite imagery
Lake Erie - September 12, 2010
Satellite Imagery of Inland Lakes (MERIS)
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Sign Up
• http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HABS/
lake_erie_hab/lake_erie_hab.html
• Dr. Richard Stumpf – NOAA
301-713-3028 x173
Sampling and Analysis Protocol
Sampling For Algal Toxins
CONSIDER:
•Type of Organism (Genus/Species/Strain)
•Type of Presentation
– Scum (surface accumulation)
– Dispersed throughout water column
•Vertical position
– Consider type of organism – buoyancy?
•Spatial Location
– Consider wind direction, current, waves
– Consider beaches and intakes
Sampling Protocol
• Beaches (based on USGS guidance)
– Phytoplankton collection (add Lugol’s Iodine)
• Densest biomass
– Toxin collection
• Three transects
• Nine composited samples (ankle, knee, hip)
• Separate collection of scum (toxin analysis)
Analysis Protocol
– Phytoplankton- ID genera
– Algal toxin analysis-ELISA
• Sonicate for recreational waters
• Focus on microcystin
FOR MORE INFORMATION
ohioalgaeinfo.com –
Ohio EPA/Ohio DNR/ODH
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HAB Report Form
Toxin Data (Historic and Current)
Interactive Map (Advisories Posted)
Fact Sheets
Brochure for Pet and Livestock Owners
Photo Gallery of Ohio HABs
Ohio Harmful Algal Bloom Response Strategy
Ohio Department of Health
•ODH Web site: HAB Information & Resources
http://www.odh.ohio.gov/features/odhfeatures/algalblooms.aspx
Other States and Countries
• 2012 Publication:
Current approaches to Cyanotoxin risk
assessment, risk management and regulations
in different countries
compiled and edited by Dr. Ingrid Chorus Federal
Environment Agency, Germany
http://www.umweltdaten.de/publikationen/fpd
f-l/4390.pdf
Questions?
Linda Merchant-Masonbrink
HAB Coordinator – Recreational Waters
Division of Surface Water
Ohio EPA
614-644-2135
Linda.merchant-masonbrink@epa.state.oh.us