North Carolina Algal Bloom Assessment Program Update
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Stay informed about North Carolina's Algal Bloom Assessment Program, including potential harmful algal blooms (pHABs), cyanotoxin testing development, current focus and efforts, and contact information.
North Carolina Algal Bloom Assessment Program Update
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Presentation Transcript
July 1, 2018 Algal Bloom Assessment Program UpdateDepartment of Environmental QualityDivision of Water Resources
Algal Assessment Program Review • Water Sciences Section, Ecosystems Branch • Coordinate with: • Regional Offices • Public Health Dept. • Academic Institutions • Sea Grant • Fish and Wildlife • Wildlife Resources Commission • Private Citizens and more
Potential Harmful Algal Blooms (pHABs) • DWR defines pHABS as: • Blooms of bluegreen algae that may produce toxins • Densities above 10,000 units/ml • PUBLIC HEALTH RISK = PUBLIC HEALTH DEPT. • Algal bloom investigations • Regional Offices • Estuarine Monitoring Team • Episodic (1 to 7 days) • 50 in 2017 • 20 considered pHABs • XX so far 2018 • XX considered pHABs • Chronic (1 to 3 months, returning annually) • Fontana Lake > 2015 • Chowan River/Albemarle Sound > 2015
Cyanotoxin Testing Development • Field Staff/Regional Office • Abraxis cyanotoxin test strips • Rapid assessment • Field or office use • Limited results (no verification procedures) • Water Sciences Section Chemistry Laboratory • Abraxis Cyanotoxin Automated Assay System • ELIZA instrument • Quality assurance and Quality Control procedures • sample collection, handling & processing procedures
Current Focus and Efforts • Draft pHAB and Cyanotoxins Sampling Protocols out for review • Staff and Interagency • Cape Fear River Partnership • Basinwide Lake Monitoring Program • Testing for Microcystin in Water Supplies • Special Studies • Split samples with DPH • Test strips vs ELIZA • National Rivers and Stream Assessment • Waterville • White Lake
Fish Kill and Bloom Reporting APP • Developed as a Fish Kill reporting tool • Reconfigured to include reporting algal blooms • Downloaded to phone or via the web • 60 fish kills where reported with this app in 2017 • 10 algal blooms were reported since spring 2017
Contact Information Water Sciences Section Chief Cyndi Karoly cyndi.karoly@ncdenr.gov Ecosystem Branch Supervisor: Brian Wrenn brian.wrenn@ncdenr.gov Algal Ecologists: Mark Vander Borgh mark.vanderborgh@ncdenr.gov Elizabeth Fensin elizabeth.fensin@ncdenr.gov Leigh Stevenson leigh.stevenson@ncdenr.gov