Toxic algae

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Hamilton Reef
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 am
Location: Montague, MI on White River

Toxic algae

Post by Hamilton Reef » Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:52 am

Toxic algae fouls Mona Lake

A type of algae that releases bacteria 100 times more toxic than cyanide is flourishing in West Michigan lakes, turning some waterways fluorescent green and forming layers of blue-green surface scum that resembles paint.

Scientists recently detected high levels of microcystin LR -- a natural but potentially deadly bacteria released by some types of blue-green algae known as microcystis -- in Muskegon, Mona and Bear lakes.

An algae scum on eastern Mona Lake earlier this month contained microcystin concentrations 220-fold higher than levels considered safe for recreational activities, according to tests conducted by scientists at Grand Valley State University's Annis Water Resources Institute.

http://blog.mlive.com/chronicle/2008/07 ... oblem.html

Hamilton Reef
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 am
Location: Montague, MI on White River

Post by Hamilton Reef » Sat Aug 02, 2008 8:53 am

Algae woes

Here's a numerical breakdown of toxic algae blooms found this summer in Muskegon, Mona and Bear lakes and recommended health guidelines for waters where the blooms have released dangerous toxins called microcystins. All of the following microcystin concentrations are in parts per billion:

20: Microcystin concentration that poses a moderate risk of health problems to people who swim or boat in affected waters.

20: The microcystin level at which the state of Nebraska closes swimming beaches and posts health advisories urging boaters to use caution on affected lakes.

4,445: Microcystin concentration at Mona Lake Park on July 10.

1,500: Microcystin concentration at Mona Lake Park on July 17.

200: Microcystin concentration at the Fisherman's Landing boat ramp on Muskegon Lake on July 17.

436: Microcystin concentration along the Bear Lake shoreline on June 24.

43: Microcystin concentration in the middle of Bear Lake on July 14.

0: Number of health advisories posted at Muskegon, Mona or Bear lakes in July warning swimmers and boaters about the potentially harmful microcystin levels.

Here's how to stay safe if you swim or boat in lakes where potentially toxic blue-green algae is abundant:

• Avoid areas where the water is murky, foamy on the surface, looks like pea soup or where there is a visible scum on the water. Blue-green algae scum often looks like floating paint.

• Don't swim, boating, water ski, go tubing or kayak through algae scum, which can release toxic chemicals into the air.

• Keep children and pets away from blue green algae scum.

• If you come in contact with a layer of algae, rinse off with clean water as soon as possible, especially areas covered by your swimsuit.

• If a dog swims in scummy water, rinse it off immediately -- do not let it lick the algae off its fur.

• Don't irrigate lawns with water that looks like pea soup or smells bad.

On the Web

www.glerl.noaa.gov/res/Centers/HABS/habs.html (click on Sampling Data link)

www.muskegonhealth.net (click on Blue-green Algae link)

Hamilton Reef
Posts: 1156
Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 9:43 am
Location: Montague, MI on White River

Post by Hamilton Reef » Sun Dec 21, 2008 5:32 pm

Mona Lake Watershed Council pushing $500,000 improvement in Mona Lake quality

Officials at the Mona Lake Watershed Council hope to tap into the $500,000 environmental restoration fund to improve water quality in the popular but troubled lake, which was affected by pollution at the Bofors-Nobel facility.

"If we get all of these projects funded, we could see a significant turnaround in water quality in Mona Lake in a decade or less," said Brenda Moore, executive director of the watershed council. "These projects would really turn around the health of the entire watershed, especially Mona Lake."

Judie Gapp, an enforcement specialist for the Michigan DEQ, said the agency likely will award grants from the Bofors-Nobel/Lomac fund in early 2009. Gapp said the natural resource damage assessment funds are meant to offset environmental harm by restoring nature in the vicinity of where the abuses took place.

http://www.mlive.com/chronicle/news/ind ... oveme.html

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