Examination of Cyanobacteria
(Blue-Green Algae) MicrocystinLR Toxin in Callander Bay
Presented by: Jamie Lavigne
Supervised by: Dr. Reehan Mirza
Department of Biology and Chemistry
Nipissing University - 2012
Outline
Callander Bay
 Blue-green Algae
 Objectives
 Future work

Callander Bay

Historically
◦ Logging, sawmill operations, agricultural
activities, rural and urban development
(Hutchinson Environmental Sciences Ltd. 2011).
Photos accessed from
http://www.museevirtuel.ca/pm.php?id=story_line&lg=Francais&fl=0&ex=92&sl=2929&pos=1&pf=1#8
Callander Bay
Growing concern
over the appearance
of harmful blue-green
algal blooms
 Municipal drinking
water
 Recreational use
 Attracts
tourists/anglers
worldwide

Objectives
Compare pre, during and post bloom
event
1. Measure water quality parameters

 pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, conductivity,
water hardness
2.
3.
Identify zooplankton
Analyze microcystin-LR in water and fish
tissue.
BGA Species identified in 2011

Microcystins
1. Anabaena spp.
2. Gloeotrichia
echinulata
3. Microcystis sp.
4. Woronichinia sp.
5. Limnothrix sp.

Anatoxins
1. Anabaena spp.
2. Ahanizomenon flosaquae
Sampling Sites
Photo courtesy of the North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
Water Quality – Dissolved Oxygen
14
12
10
8
ug/L
Boat Launch
Marina
6
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
4
Sewage Lagoon
2
0
July 6/11
August
2/11
August
17/11
Aug 26/11 September September September September October
1/11
11/11
21/11
28/11
4/11
Water Quality – Water Hardness
200
180
160
140
mg/L
120
100
Boat Launch
Marina
80
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
60
40
20
0
Sewage Lagoon
Water Quality - Conductivity
600
500
400
uS
Boat Launch
Marina
300
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
Sewage Lagoon
200
100
0
July 6/11
August
2/11
August
17/11
Aug 26/11 September September September September October
1/11
11/11
21/11
28/11
4/11
Water Quality - pH
10
9
8
7
pH
6
5
Boat Launch
Marina
4
3
2
1
0
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
Sewage Lagoon
Water Quality - Temperature
30
25
20
Celsius
Boat Launch
15
Marina
Yacht Club
10
Wasi Falls
5
0
Sewage Lagoon
2011
Centennial Pk. U
Centennial Pk. L
Callander Cr. U
Callander Cr. L
Burford Ck. U
Burford Ck. L
Windsor Ck. U
Windsor Ck. L
ug/L
Phosphorus Average
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
YSI – BGA Sensor
BGA Cell Count
September 1, 2011
25000
25000
20000
20000
Average Cells/mL
Average Cells/mL
August 26, 2011
15000
10000
5000
15000
10000
5000
0
0
Boat Launch
Marina
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
Boat Launch
Marina
Yacht Club
Wasi Falls
Zooplankton Population Size
140
120
Average population size
100
80
Daphnia spp.
60
Copepod spp.
Nauplii
40
20
0
June
July
August
Month 2011
September
October
Microcystin-LR Analysis
Future Work

MESc.
◦ Project will continue for 2 years
◦ Continue to collect water, fish tissue and
zooplankton
◦ Expand sampling area, longer timeframe
◦ Use of BGA sensor (cells/mL)
◦ Develop a method to detect microcystin
Acknowledgements

Thank you to the following:
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
◦
Nipissing University
Township of Callander
Callander Sustainable Committee
North Bay-Mattawa Conservation Authority
North Bay-Parry Sound District Health Unit
Ministry of Environment