Latest news with #HABs
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Researchers find algae bloom along north and central Kerala coasts
The Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) has reported an extensive algae bloom along the north and central Kerala coasts since the first week of August. The event, commonly known as red tide, is marked by the reddish discolouration of surface waters, a result of massive blooms of the red variant of the dinoflagellate microalga Noctiluca scintillans. A research team under the ANRF-SRG programme studying Climatic influences on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) led by Lathika Cicily Thomas, Assistant Professor in the department, confirmed the bloom following observations from Chavakkad beach in Thrissur district and multiple beaches in Kozhikode, according to a release. The bloom has progressively spread southwards, influenced by prevailing surface currents, and has notably impacted the shorelines of Edakkazhiyur and Puthenkadapuram. Locally known as 'Pooneer', 'Polavellam' or 'Karavellam' in Malayalam, the phenomenon has covered several kilometres of coastline. The reddish hue is most pronounced in shallow intertidal zones, accompanied by spectacular bioluminescence that produces blue-green flashes in the surf zone at night. Though the current bloom has not resulted in any fish or invertebrate mortality, recurrent blooms may definitely alter water quality and result in ecological consequences, it said.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Harmful algae blooms in Canandaigua Lake: What to expect in late summer
CANANDAIGUA, NY — A year ago June 20, Canandaigua Lake saw the earliest blue-green algae bloom ever recorded. The year before that, a bloom was recorded on June 22, but then not again until late July. In 2022, a bloom wasn't recorded until Aug. 16, even though the year before a bloom was recorded on June 29. This year, small and localized blooms were recorded on July 28, but no new blooms were recorded as of Aug. 8. So unlike Halloween or Christmas, the arrival of harmful algae blooms, also known as HABs, is not something that can be pinpointed on the calendar (and it's becoming a yearly tradition, although unlike the holidays, it's not one lake users look forward to). If one thing is certain, HABs will come, in Canandaigua Lake and the other Finger Lakes. New Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association Executive Director Emily DeBolt explains what to expect in these last days of summer. Answers have been lightly edited. Q: What are you expecting for Canandaigua Lake this year? DeBolt: They are doing some really interesting work up on Lake Erie with harmful algae bloom forecasting models. It will be great if we will all be able to benefit from what they are learning up there. In the meantime, it's really anyone's guess, unfortunately. The cold winter with more ice cover than usual could play into things. The water sure was colder than usual for a while early on, but by now the lake has caught up and is warm like usual. (The surface temperature as of Aug. 8 was recorded at 78 degrees Fahrenheit, down two degrees from the week prior, according to the Watershed Association's weekly water quality report.) The large storm in June that brought lots of sediment and nutrient into the lake could have a hand in things. But day to day it's largely dependent on the weather. Cayuga Lake had a large number of blooms early and then calmed down a bit. Now Seneca Lake has been having blooms. We already had our first bloom reports of the season, but they were small and localized. Q: What are the right conditions for blue-green algae in Canandaigua Lake? DeBolt: A combination of factors allows the cyanobacteria to grow into blooms that can be harmful to human and animal health and degrade our water quality. With climate change, we are seeing an increase in large storm events that overwhelm the land's capacity to slow and filter the water before it reaches the lake. These storm events bring pulses of sediments and nutrients into the lake, helping fuel excessive aquatic plant growth and algae blooms. Also, the invasive dreissenid mussels (both quagga and zebra) have been altering our lake ecosystem and while they filter other algae out of the water, they leave the cyanobacteria that causes HABs behind. Those are all the underlying factors. In short, hot, calm days create ideal conditions for harmful algal blooms. Light winds can also move the blooms around so — depending on the direction of the wind — one side of the lake or the other might see the worst blooms at any given time. Q: Do you have more volunteers reporting Canandaigua Lake conditions this year? DeBolt: We have an amazing 'army' of volunteers all over the lake reporting for us. I think we have 74 this year. We keep a map of what sections people are monitoring, so if someone is interested in monitoring a section of shoreline for us, they should reach out and we can let them know if we need someone in that area still. Q: What should Canandaigua Lake users be on the lookout for? DeBolt: Use visual cues to identify harmful algae blooms. They can appear like pea soup, spilled paint, globs or surface streaks. The color is typically green, blue-green or yellow, but can also potentially be brown, red or purple. When in doubt, stay out! Q: What should residents and Canandaigua Lake users be aware of and what can they do to help? DeBolt: Lake users need to educate themselves about HABs so that they can safely and confidently enjoy the lake. Blooms can appear quickly in the lake when the conditions are just right. Please use your visual indicators before recreating in the water and be sure to keep pets away from the water as well. They can always reach out to us at HABS@ with a photo or HABs-related question. We keep a detailed map of bloom locations on our website and info about HABs. The state Department of Environmental Conservation has resources as well about HABs identification and they keep the NYHABs map showing reported bloom locations for all of New York state. The one thing we can all do is work to protect the lake is by reducing the amount of nutrients that get into it. Everyone has a part they can play. So that means limiting the use of lawn fertilizers, planting native plants to help soak up stormwater before it becomes runoff, making sure their septic system is working properly (if they have one) and many more things. We have resources on our website with all sorts of 'Lake Friendly Living' tips. Q: What other ways are there to be informed about Canandaigua Lake conditions? DeBolt: We also send out weekly water quality updates during the summer. This is a great way to know what is going on in the lake currently and to get the latest up-to-date info about HABs. If people don't receive these weekly emails, we encourage them to go on our website and sign up at What is the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association? The community-based nonprofit organization is committed to preserving the water quality and ecological health of Canandaigua Lake and its surrounding watershed. Through education, scientific research and advocacy for sound public policy, the Watershed Association engages the community to promote stewardship and protect Canandaigua Lake. This organization is not to be confused with the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Council, which is made up of the 14 watershed and water-purveying municipalities that work together toward protecting the lake. For more information or to get involved, visit or @CanandaiguaLakeWatershed on Instagram. Mike Murphy covers Canandaigua and other communities in Ontario County and writes the Eat, Drink and Be Murphy food and drink column. Follow him on X at @MPN_MikeMurphy. This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Harmful algae blooms in Canandaigua Lake: What to expect in late summer Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Research team develops game-changing device to fight dangerous toxins in water supply: 'Demonstrated exceptional robustness'
Scientists have developed an affordable, real-time algal bloom monitoring system, as relayed by Its optical sensors achieve high accuracy, outperforming complex AI models. The device could revolutionize how we protect our water quality and aquatic ecosystems. Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, are a serious environmental issue. Rapid growth of algae can produce toxins dangerous to humans and animals. They can contaminate drinking water and deplete the oxygen in water. Water without oxygen is known as a "dead zone," which kills fish and other aquatic life. Traditional detection of HABs is expensive and not suitable for continual, on-the-ground monitoring. Satellite imaging or drone remote sensing, for example, makes it difficult to get early warnings and quick responses. The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology tackled this challenge. A research team led by Dr. Jai-Yeop Lee created a compact, sensor-based probe. The device integrates readily available ambient light and sunlight sensors into a microcontroller. It analyzes lux (brightness), ultraviolet, infrared, and visible light. These readings help categorize water surface conditions as "algae," "sunny," "shade," or "aqua." Lee and his team produced a system with an impressive 100% prediction accuracy. This is possible due to an enhanced Support Vector Machine classifier with a sequential logic-based algorithm. The system surpassed standard AI models like Random Forest and Gradient Boosting. Intelligent design like this is effective for real-world deployment in low-power, field-based systems. The device can also quantify Chlorophyll-a concentrations, a key indicator of algal blooms. The promising monitoring system is a means to protect reliable, clean water. Low-cost, real-time detection alerts authorities to potential HABs much earlier. Issuing public health warnings and treating affected bodies of water can be done more efficiently. How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water? Never Sometimes Often Always Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Preventing the spread of algal blooms is the device's main purpose. It reduces exposure to toxins, safeguards potable water, and preserves aquatic ecosystems. As a result, the system protects public health and supports fishing and recreation. "The logic-based framework demonstrated exceptional robustness and interpretability, especially for real-time deployment in embedded systems," said Dr. Lee. Making this technology accessible empowers communities to better manage their water resources. Improved detection marks a significant step forward in affordable water quality monitoring. Simple, responsive algal bloom detection — without the need for expensive hardware or extensive data — will keep our waters safe and our environment healthy. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
E&E News
16-05-2025
- Science
- E&E News
NOAA staff cuts could threaten monitoring of Great Lakes toxic algae
Deep staff reductions and potential funding cuts to NOAA's primary science center on the Great Lakes could increase the risk of human exposure to toxic algae, a perennial threat in the world's largest freshwater ecosystem, officials say. Since February, NOAA has lost 16 staffers at the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Those employees — who were either fired probationary workers or longtime staffers who took retirement — included key members of a team responsible for collecting, analyzing and communicating risks from 'harmful algal blooms,' or HABs. That's more than a third of the 48-employee lab best known by its acronym, GLERL. Advertisement 'This is a critical time,' said Gregory Dick, director of the Cooperative Institute for Great Lakes Research, or CIGLR, a formal partnership between NOAA and 15 academic institutions and private-sector partners that is housed within GLERL. 'I would definitely say our HABs monitoring program is very much in jeopardy for this summer.'
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Smith Mountain Lake receives $225,000 for HABs testing
SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, Va. (WFXR) – Smith Mountain Lake received more funding from the new state budget signed by Governor Younkin including $225,000. The Smith Mountain Lake Association joined with the Lake Anna Civic Association in requesting the budget to protect Virginia's freshwater lakes and rivers. The funding will allow the Department of Environmental Quality with the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, to test inland waterways for the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs). Smith Mountain Lake water quality monitoring enters 39th year This investment comes one year after the General Assembly approved the $150,000 budget to conduct analysis of HABs at SML. This work and data collection is in collaboration with Virginia Tech and SMLA. 'We thank Delegate Bulova, Senator Peake, Senator Reeves, and Senator Stuart for sponsoring the amendments,' said John Vidovich, SMLA President. 'SMLA appreciates the continued support from Governor Younkin and the General Assembly to help keep Smith Mountain Lake clean and safe.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
