Toxic algae found in Missisquoi Bay
Posted: Fri Sep 30, 2011 12:30 pm
Burlington Free Press Article;
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/arti ... eststories
An unusually high concentration of potentially toxic blue-green algae was identified this week on the southwest shore of Missisquoi Bay, scientists reported Thursday.
The near-shore sample from Highgate Springs contained more than 940,000 potentially toxic cells per milliliter of water as well as a high concentration of microcystin, the toxin released by the algae.
"We have not seen concentrations at this level since 2004," said Mary Watzin, the University of Vermont scientist who leads the blue-green algae monitoring program on Lake Champlain.
"This level is quite concerning," she added in an email response to an inquiry from the Free Press.
She noted that blooms of the potentially toxic algae thrive in hot weather but are transient, often being dispersed by winds.
"A change in weather right now would be really helpful. I'm hoping the cold front coming through will help bring this algae season to a close," she wrote in her weekly report.
The recreation season on the lake has nearly ended, with the exception of duck hunting.
"Since duck hunting season is beginning, it would be wise to remind duck hunters to keep their dogs out of the water if they see any visible algae in the water," she wrote.
Two dogs died after ingesting large amounts of algae from the lake a decade ago. Dogs are susceptible because they drink lake water, and because they may lick algae from their coats after swimming.
Watzin said monitors observed patchy clumps of blue-green algae through Missisquoi Bay, as well as receiving reports of large algae blooms in the Inland Sea area of the lake. Concentrations of toxins in most of those samples were well below alert levels.
"Anyone on the lake should continue to watch for dense accumulations of algae and avoid these areas," her report concluded.
Blue-green algae sometimes collect in near-shore scums that look like a sheen of neon green paint on the water.
Contact Candace Page at 660-1865
http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/arti ... eststories
An unusually high concentration of potentially toxic blue-green algae was identified this week on the southwest shore of Missisquoi Bay, scientists reported Thursday.
The near-shore sample from Highgate Springs contained more than 940,000 potentially toxic cells per milliliter of water as well as a high concentration of microcystin, the toxin released by the algae.
"We have not seen concentrations at this level since 2004," said Mary Watzin, the University of Vermont scientist who leads the blue-green algae monitoring program on Lake Champlain.
"This level is quite concerning," she added in an email response to an inquiry from the Free Press.
She noted that blooms of the potentially toxic algae thrive in hot weather but are transient, often being dispersed by winds.
"A change in weather right now would be really helpful. I'm hoping the cold front coming through will help bring this algae season to a close," she wrote in her weekly report.
The recreation season on the lake has nearly ended, with the exception of duck hunting.
"Since duck hunting season is beginning, it would be wise to remind duck hunters to keep their dogs out of the water if they see any visible algae in the water," she wrote.
Two dogs died after ingesting large amounts of algae from the lake a decade ago. Dogs are susceptible because they drink lake water, and because they may lick algae from their coats after swimming.
Watzin said monitors observed patchy clumps of blue-green algae through Missisquoi Bay, as well as receiving reports of large algae blooms in the Inland Sea area of the lake. Concentrations of toxins in most of those samples were well below alert levels.
"Anyone on the lake should continue to watch for dense accumulations of algae and avoid these areas," her report concluded.
Blue-green algae sometimes collect in near-shore scums that look like a sheen of neon green paint on the water.
Contact Candace Page at 660-1865