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| Message Subject: Algae bloom/lack of oxygen | |||
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| Recently Pewaukee Lake has had a bloom for at least two weeks. It comes and goes on the west end(deep water)and seems to hang around the east end(shallow water). When we have the east winds the bloom moves back out into the west end. The east wind usually slows fishing somewhat but this year it seems to have a longer effect on the fishing. Is it possible that the oxygen level is rising and falling due to this bloom. I also noticed that after a hard wind the fishing seems to pick up and after a few days of light winds its not as good. Also in the last two weeks I have seen 3 muskies and two walleyes dead. Is it possible that the top of the water gets bad for the fish, I had a small muskie that I caught and only had it out of the water for 15 to 30 seconds and had trouble releasing this fish. It came from shallow water so it was not a depth/tempature thing. What effect does a prolonged bloom have on a lake? Is it possible that it kills the light penetration so the weeds start to die? Does this eats up the oxygen when weeds die? I know if they are not healthy they don't give off lots of oxygen. What do you guys think? Jlong lets hear from the pro. | |||
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| Mike, I not sure ir this will answer your question, but my best freind did some reseach on this subject for Petenwell Flowage. Hope this helps. Todd Forcier Forcier's Guide Service www.forciersguideservice.com PETENWELL’S –BLUE/GREEN ALGAE WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW What are cyan bacteria? Cyan bacteria are the scientific name for blue-green algae, or "pond scum." The first recognized species were blue-green in color, which is how the algae got their name. Species identified since range in color from olive-green to red. Cyan bacteria form in shallow, warm, slow moving or still water. They are made up of cells, which can house poisons called cyan bacterial toxins. A mass of cyan bacteria in a body of water is called a bloom. When this mass rises to the surface of the water, it is known as surface scum or a surface water bloom. Although we don't know the extent to which cyan bacterial blooms occur across Canada, we do know they mostly appear in the hot summer months and are quite prevalent in the prairies. What are cyan bacterial toxins? Cyan bacterial toxins are the naturally produced poisons stored in the cells of certain species of cyan bacteria. These toxins fall into various categories. Some are known to attack the liver (hepatotoxins) or the nervous system (neurotoxins); others simply irritate the skin. These toxins are usually released into water when the cells rupture or die. Health Canada scientists are more concerned about hepatotoxins than neurotoxins, because neurotoxins are not considered to be as widespread as hepatotoxins in water supplies. Very few cyan bacterial toxins have actually been isolated and characterized to date. Better methods of detection are being developed to help us learn more about them, especially to find out which toxins is a problem in Canada and what conditions encourage their production. What are Microsystems? One group of toxins produced and released by cyan bacteria is called Microsystems because they were isolated from a cyan bacterium called Microsystems aerations. Microsystems are the most common of the cyan bacterial toxins found in water, as well as being the ones most often responsible for poisoning animals and humans who come into contact with toxic blooms. Microsystems are extremely stable in water because of their chemical structure, which means they can survive in both warm and cold water and can tolerate radical changes in water chemistry, including pH. So far, scientists have found about 50 different kinds of Microsystems. One of them, Microsystems-LR, appears to be one of the Microsystems most commonly found in water supplies around the world. For this reason, most research in this area has focused on this particular toxin. Does the presence of a cyan bacterial bloom always mean the water is contaminated? No. Researchers generally agree that between 30 and 50 per cent of cyan bacterial blooms are harmless because they contain only non-toxic species of freshwater cyan bacteria. Blooms containing even one species of toxic cyan bacteria will be poisonous and potentially dangerous. Because there's no obvious way to tell if a particular bloom is toxic, samples have to be analyzed in a laboratory before a body of water can be declared safe. Why do blooms sometimes appear overnight? Even if you can't see a cyan bacterial bloom floating on the surface of the water, that doesn't mean one isn't present in the water — the bloom could be suspended at various depths in the water where you can't see it. The depth at which cyan bacterial blooms float depends on a number of factors. The most important of these are light, phosphorus and nitrogen, which cyan bacteria need in order to survive. As the availability of these elements can change quickly with the time of day and the weather, most cyan bacteria have evolved to be able to control their buoyancy. By being able to sink and rise at will, they are able to move to where nutrient and light levels are at their highest. In order to activate the mechanism that allows them to move, cyan bacteria need light. At night, when there is no light, cells are unable to adjust their buoyancy and often float to the surface, forming a surface scum. This scum literally appears overnight and lingers until the wind and waves scatter the cells throughout the water. Are cyan bacterial blooms a new problem? No. The earliest reliable account of a cyan bacterial bloom dates back to the 12th century; the toxic effects of cyan bacteria on livestock have been recognized for more than 100 years. Since cyan bacterial bloom formation seems to be linked to nutrient-rich water bodies (for example, water that contains a lot of phosphates from detergents and phosphate fertilizers), the problem is not likely to go away in the near future. Can cyan bacterial toxins kill me? Although many people have become ill from exposure to freshwater cyan bacterial toxins, death from algal-contaminated drinking water is unlikely to occur given that water resources are usually effectively managed to control taste, odor and other algae-related problems. It's possible that extended exposure to low levels of cyan bacterial hepatotoxins could have long-term or chronic effects in humans. How will I know if I've accidentally come into contact with cyan bacterial toxins? If you ingest water, fish or blue-green algal products containing elevated levels of toxins, you may experience headaches, fever, diarrhea, abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. If you swim in contaminated water, you may get itchy and irritated eyes and skin, as well as other hay fever-like allergic reactions. If you suspect you might have come into contact with cyan bacterial toxins and are experiencing any of these symptoms, rinse any scum off your body and consult your physician immediately. Are children more vulnerable than adults? Yes. Children are at greater risk than adults of developing serious liver damage should they ingest high levels of Microsystems, because of their comparatively lower body weight. Should I let my pets or my livestock drink water containing cyan bacterial blooms? No. The animals could become extremely ill and even die. The first recorded episode of animal poisoning attributable to cyan bacteria occurred in Australia in 1878. Since then, there have been many widespread incidents of poisoning, affecting a variety of both wild and domestic animals. Animals are not more sensitive than people to the effects of the toxins; they are simply not as concerned with the way water looks or smells before they drink it. Death is usually caused by damage to the liver or to the nervous system, depending on which toxins were predominant in the water. Treatments to counteract the effects of cyan bacterial toxins in animals have not been extensively investigated to date How likely am I to drink water contaminated with cyan bacteria and/or its toxins? Not very likely. Relatively few incidents of human poisoning have been reported. People don't usually drink water contaminated with cyan bacteria because of the scum and the accompanying smell (fresh blooms smell like newly mown grass; older blooms smell like rotting garbage). However, people could unknowingly drink water containing cyan bacterial toxins released from blooms that have died naturally. If your water comes from a source that is prone to blue-green algal contamination (dugouts, for example), you should monitor the water for bloom formation. If you detect a bloom in your water supply, contact your local health authorities for advice. Can I cook using water with blue-green algae in it? No! Boiling water does not remove toxins from the water. As it is impossible to detect the presence of toxins in the water by taste, odor or appearance, you must assume that they are present until testing is completed. What about using contaminated water for washing? If there is a safe source of water available, don't use contaminated water for washing clothes or dishes. If no alternative supply is available, use rubber gloves to avoid direct contact with the water. Bathing or showering in contaminated water should be avoided, as skin contact with the algae can lead to skin irritation and rashes. Can water containing cyan bacterial blooms be used for recreational activities? Unlike controls available with a drinking water source contaminated with cyan bacteria, there are very few options available once these algae accumulate in water used for recreational activities, such as swimming, boating, wind surfing and fishing. Blooms in recreational bodies of water are usually associated with unpleasant odors and offensive appearance on shorelines as the scum accumulates and decays. Although cyan bacterial toxins are probably not absorbed through the skin, they can cause skin irritation. The toxins, if present, can be absorbed from the water via ingestion or can become airborne and be absorbed via inhalation. Individuals should avoid swimming and other water-related activities in areas with dense blooms. What should I do if I suspect toxic cyan bacteria have contaminated water? Because all cyan bacterial blooms are potentially toxic, it's always best to stay away from contaminated water until it has been tested and declared safe. Even after the bloom is gone, it's a good idea to wait until health authorities declare the water safe before swimming in it. For example, in one study in which a bloom was treated with algaecide, the toxins released by the dead cells took more than three weeks to disappear. Can I eat fish from contaminated water? Microsystems can accumulate in the tissues of fish, particularly in the viscera (liver, kidney, etc.), and in shellfish. Levels in the tissues depend upon the severity of the bloom in the area where the fish or shellfish are caught or collected. In general, caution should be taken when considering the consumption of fish caught in areas of a water body where major blue-green algal blooms occur; in particular, the viscera of the fish should not be eaten Plant Description 1. Anabaena a. This blue-green algae is a unicellular organism, microscopic in size, with no organized nucleus b. Colonies of this organism grow in filamentous clumps (strands or chains) 2. Microcystis a. This blue-green algae is also a unicellular organism, microscopic in size, with no organized nucleus b. colonies of this organism form clusters of small coccoid cells that grow in gelatinous aggregations or clumps Toxic Principles 1. Anabaena produces the following toxins: a. Anatoxin-a which is a potent neurotoxin causing very rapid death b. Anatoxin-a (s) which is also a neurotoxin which acts much like an Organophosphate or Carbamate insecticide (cholinesterase inhibitor) 2. Microcystis produces a powerful toxin called Microcystin, which acts on the liver and the gastrointestinal tract. Disease 1. Anatoxin-a can cause death in minutes or up to 3 or 4 hours a. Prior to death, you may see muscle tremors, convulsions, paralysis, and respiratory arrest 2. Anatoxin-a (s) causes animals to salivate, urinate and defecate excessively. Secretions into the bronchi and lungs cause severe respiratory problems, and can lead to death. 3. 4. Microcystin -- the onset time for clinical disease is usually 30-60 minutes a. acute gastroenteritis with vomiting and diarrhea which may be bloody b. acute liver failure leading to jaundice and possible photosensitization c. muscle tremors, convulsions, coma, death Treatment 1. Try to detoxify using activated charcoal 2. Treat for shock and liver failure 3. Administer fluids to correct dehydration 4. Use copper sulfate in ponds to kill algae 5. Remove animals from pond area, especially from pond treated with copper sulfate If you have any questions on anything in this article you can e-mail me at either [email protected] or [email protected]. I’d like also to thank my friends at Crestliner Boats, Magic products, Lake-link.com, Fish-Wisconsin.com, Fishtheriver.com, Hummingbird locators, St.Croix Rods, Harriet’s Family Restaurant in Wis.Rapids. Heckels marine, Amherst Marine. Comprop Prop, G-Loomis Rods, Reeds Sporting Goods, Big Fish Tackle Co., Ipsglass.com, Thermoilbatteries.com and others who have helped me along the way. This article may not be reproduced without my written permission. By RIVER RAT [:)] | |||
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| Yes, severe algae blooms can cause oxygen depeletion due to less light pepetration and less photosenthisis. Some lakes have it so bad they can experience summerkill. I wish they could figure out just exactly the cause and keep it from happening. | |||
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