Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Click on the image to watch CIGLR’s Aquatic Ecology Research Analyst Holly Kelchner collect water with a Niskin Bottle Sampler from Lake Erie. This sample is used to analyze a suite of water quality parameters from the lake.

Water quality observations are essential for documenting the growth and spread of HABs. CIGLR and NOAA GLERL conduct regular field sampling in western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay of Lake Huron during the July-October bloom season (field season is May-October). We sample and analyze temperature, Secchi disk transparency, algal parameters (chlorophyll, phycocyanin, phytoplankton abundance, algal toxins (microcystins and saxitoxins), and nutrients (phosphorus, nitrogen, carbon). We perform laboratory genetic tests to detect toxic populations of cyanobactera and determine how HABs are responding to water temperature and nutrients. Buoys and sensors deployed in western Lake Erie provide continuous water quality data during the bloom season. Data are available to the public for years 2009 to present (weekly monitoring) and 2014 to present (continuous systems).

In 2017, NOAA GLERL and CIGLR began field deployments of the first 2nd Generation Environmental Sample Processor (2G ESP) to be used in fresh water. The ESPniagara is an underwater robotic laboratory, or “lab in a can”, that collects and analyzes water for microcystin and communicates the results to data servers at GLERL in near-real time. Traditional lab techniques to determine algal toxin levels take days to complete. The ESPniagara provides drinking water managers with an earlier warning of algal blooms and their toxicity, enabling them to take action to protect public health sooner. The ESPniagara is deployed 5 miles west of the Toledo drinking water intake structure to get an early warning of elevated toxicity levels encroaching from Maumee Bay. Despite these advances, 2G ESPniagara‘s fixed mooring fails to fully support the information needed to predict HAB toxicity and fulfill the needs of drinking water intake managers. To fill this gap, a project team consisting of CIGLR, NOAA GLERL, NOAA National Centers for Ocean Coastal Science (NCCOS), and Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) is testing a new mobile HAB detection technology that will facilitate toxin forecasting and genomic observations at much greater frequency and in more areas of the lake. A new mobile 3G ESP will allow for weeks of flexible and targeted sampling, providing near real-time toxin and genomics measurements for integration into Lake Erie HAB toxicity forecasting products.

Click image to see the Lake Erie HABs Forcast animation from 8/30/2020 – 9/05/2020.

CIGLR and NOAA scientists use water quality data along with satellite data, weather forecasts, and water movement forecasts to predict future HABs in western Lake Erie. They have developed a specialized tool called the Lake Erie HAB Forecast (formerly the Experimental Lake Erie HAB Tracker) that gives current bloom conditions and a 5-day forecast of algal bloom movement and size through 3D simulations and graphics. These predictions can provide stakeholders, such as drinking water intake managers, commercial fishing operators, and beach goers, with timely information for public health decision making. Our team is currently using observed data to improve 3D prediction capabilities and developing methods to incorporate toxin concentrations into the model.

We are developing a new model for Lake Erie to examine relationships between HABs and key environmental factors like water temperature, river flows, nutrient loads, water column mixing, and sediment resuspension. Outcomes from the various loading-response scenarios will be used to develop relationships between nutrient loads and HABs in western Lake Erie.

Improvement of cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms (cHABs) products is vital for protecting human health and is key for furthering our understanding of the possible connection between toxin potential, bloom toxicity, and environmental conditions. However, through ‘omics techniques we may be able to connect the presence of the microcystin gene with microcystin concentration and environmental conditions. 

Scientists from CIGLR and NOAA GLERL are working together to provide further targeted investigations on the effects of environmental conditions on microcystin production in the lake. This project will provide critical information on HAB diversity, biology, and toxicity and will advance our knowledge of bloom ecology. It will improve our understanding of key traits associated with Microcystis’ life history strategies and impacts on the food web and society. 

To meet the needs of coastal communities, public health officials, and local water quality managers and decision-makers, the research team includes social scientists that are addressing the human dimensions of HABs in the Great Lakes. With the development and dissemination of our research products, we serve a wide range of users both public and private who shape the health and quality of the Great Lakes. The overall goals of this work are to: 1) identify and assess user needs related to water quality and human-health forecasting; 2) disseminate NOAA/CIGLR research, tools, and technology to end users to educate and build a network that will utilize NOAA products and information for decision making; and 3) guide the development and refinement of research project products.

The human dimensions team is conducting primary research that expands models of HABs and their impacts on water quality, with social dimensions that predict human behavioral responses to HABs or their impact on coastal communities. In addition to primary research, the team is leading outreach and stakeholder engagement efforts that facilitate the co‐design of research between scientists and stakeholder groups. They work with key user groups (e.g. drinking water managers, local officials, beach managers) and the general public to develop research into data products, like HAB forecasts and monitoring updates, that are easy to use and incorporate into user decision-making. They are also forging partnerships and networks with new stakeholder groups, including the recreational and charter fishing communities in the Great Lakes, through the use of human dimensions frameworks.

Learn more about our HABs focused stakeholder workshops and events by following this link.

• Lake Erie algal toxin monitoring data
• Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron) algal toxin monitoring data
• Lake Erie HAB Bulletin
• Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast
• Western Lake Erie Buoy Data
• GLOS Buoy System

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) & Hypoxia Factsheet. Click image to expand.

• HABs Research at GLERL (Factsheet)
• Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and Hypoxia (Factsheet)
• Harmful Algal Blooms Research (Bookmark)
• NOAA GLERL HABs main page
• Environmental Sample Processor (ESP)
• HAB FAQs
• NOAA Great Lakes Regional Collaboration: Lake Erie Harmful Algal Blooms

• U-M CIGLR’s Research Staff Provide Critical Information on Lake Erie’s Harmful Algal Blooms During COVID-19 Pandemic, University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability News, 11/9/2020
• NOAA improves harmful algal bloom forecasts with new 3-D model, NOAA Research News, 7/7/2020
• Fighting polarization in algae bloom controversy, Great Lakes Echo, 2/12/2020
• Researchers, residents working on new tools for tracking algae in Saginaw Bay, Great Lakes Connection Connexion Grands Lacs, 1/14/2020
• Editorial: Protecting the Great Lakes — From Parched Places Far Away and Algae Blooms Within, Chicago Tribune, 11/21/2019
• NOAA is Developing Underwater Robots to Map, Measure Toxicity of Great Lakes Algal Blooms, NOAA Research News, 8/14/2019
• Great Lakes buoys help fight algal blooms, and they just returned to the water, Fox 2 Detroit, 5/24/2019
• Monitoring algal blooms in the Great Lakes Basin, Great Lakes Echo, 2/13/2019
• Lake Erie algal blooms ‘seeded’ internally by overwintering cells in lake-bottom sediments, Michigan News, 11/21/2018
• Some cyanobacteria survive the winter in western Lake Erie, Michigan Radio, 11/21/2018
• Study: toxic algae develops faster, Great Lakes Echo, 11/21/2018
• Algae is ugly: Why Lake Erie anglers avoid harmful algal blooms, Great Lakes Echo, 10/16/2018
• Fishing in greener waters: Understanding the impact of harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie anglers, Michigan News, 9/12/2018
• NOAA and Partners Test Unmanned Vehicle to Detect Harmful Algal Blooms in Lake Erie, NOAA Research News, 8/23/2018
• Inside NOAA’s tracking of Lake Erie’s harmful algal bloom, WXYZ-TV Detroit | Channel 7, 7/25/2018
• Mussel ‘spits out’ toxic microcystin, plays part in Erie algae, 13 ABC, 6/7/2018
• Algal blooms harder to control because of climate change, other factors, data shows, The Blade, 5/1/2018
• Kapszukiewicz goes after Farm Bureau, legislature at algae conference, The Blade, 5/2/2018
• U.S. Rep. Dingell: I tried to sway Kasich to move faster on Lake Erie’s impairment, The Blade, 5/2/2018
• Testing The Waters: Specialists at U-M’s Cooperative Institute For Great Lakes Research are Getting Out of the Lab and Onto the Lakes, Enlisting Those Whose Livelihoods Depend on Clean Water, Michigan Alumnus Magazine, 3/19/2018
• Runaway robot found in Lake Erie; Local 4 Click on Detroit, 8/15/2017
• Great Lakes underwater mission; Local 4 Click on Detroit, 8/15/2017
• Underwater Robot Labs Monitor Toxins; Smithsonian.com, 8/10/2017
• Robotic lab tracking toxicity of Lake Erie algal bloom; The Monroe News, 7/25/2017
• Underwater Lab Helps Fight Lake Erie Algae; The Wall Street Journal, 7/24/2017
• New robotic lab tracking toxicity of Lake Erie algal bloom; Michigan News,7/19/2017
• Algae Bloom Tracker Developed by Anglers & Boaters (Radio Interview);  Afternoon News on iheartradio, 7/14/2017
• New Tool for the Tackle Box: An Algal Bloom Tracker; Great Lakes Connection, 7/10/2017
• Severe algae bloom forecast; The Advertiser-Tribune, 2/17/2017
• Tracking harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie; NOAA Research Press Release, 9/23/2015
• Scientists launch “lab in a can” to detect toxins in Lake Erie; Michigan Radio, 9/15/16
• A “lab-in-a-can” could pioneer protection network for Great Lakes water; Great Lakes Echo, 9/9/16
• NOAA, partners predict smaller harmful algal bloom for western Lake Erie; NOAA.gov, 7/7/2016
• Stay out of the scum, warns NOAA’s latest bulletin on Lake Erie’s Harmful Algal Bloom; Climate.gov, 8/19/2015
• Hear from the scientists who saw the Ohio algae blooms coming; PBS Online, 8/3/2014
• Lake Erie: big algae problems, more to come; Christian Science Monitor, 4/2/2013
• Record-Setting 2011 Lake Erie Algae Blooms Could Become The New Norm; RedOrbit, 4/2/2013
• 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom an omen of worse to come: report; CTVNews, 4/2/2013
• Report Predicts Ever-Bigger Lake Erie Algae Blooms; CBS Detroit, 4/2/2013
• Extreme algae blooms: The new normal?; EurekAlert!, 4/10/2013
• Record-breaking 2011 Lake Erie algae bloom may be sign of things to come; EurekAlert!, 4/1/2013
• Extreme algal blooms: The new normal?; EurekAlert!, 4/1/2013

Berry, M.A., T.W. Davis, R.M. Cory, M.B. Duhaime, T.H. Johengen, G.W. Kling, J.A. Marino, P.A. Den Uyl, D. Gossiaux, G.J. Dick and V.J. Denef. 2016. Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms are a biological disturbance to Western Lake Erie bacterial communities. Environmental Microbiology. 19:1149-1162. (DOI:10.1111/1462-2920.13640). [Altmetric Score]

Berry, M.A., J.D. White, T.W. Davis, S. Jain, T.H. Johengen, G.J. Dick, O. Sarnelle and V.J. Denef. 2017. Are oligotypes meaningful ecological and phylogenetic units? A case study of Microcystis in freshwater lakes. Frontiers in Microbiology. 8(365). (DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2017.00365). [Altmetric Score]

Bertani, I., C.E. Steger, D.R. Obenour, G.L. Fahnenstiel, T.B. Bridgeman, T.H. Johengen, M.J. Sayers, R.A. Schuchman and D. Scavia. 2017. Tracking cyanobacteria blooms: Do different monitoring approaches tell the same story? Science of The Total Environment. 575:294-308. (DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.10.023). [Altmetric Score]

Bosse, K.R., M.J. Sayers, R.A. Shuchman, G.L. Fahnenstiel, S.A. Ruberg, D.L. Fanslow and A.M. Burtner. 2019. Spatial-temporal variability of in situ cyanobacteria vertical structure in Western Lake Erie: Implications for remote sensing observations. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 45:480-489. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2019.02.003). [Altmetric Score]

Chaffin, J.D., T.W. Davis, D.J. Smith, M.M. Baer and G.J. Dick. 2018. Interactions between nitrogen form, loading rate, and light intensity on Microcystis and Planktothrix growth and microcystin production. Harmful Algae. (DOI:10.1016/j.hal.2018.02.001). [Altmetric Score]

Cory, R.M., T.W. Davis, G.J. Dick, T.H. Johengen, V.J. Denef, M. Berry, S.E. Page, S.B. Watson, K. Yuhas and G.W. Kling. 2016. Seasonal dynamics in dissolved organic matter, hydrogen peroxide, and cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Erie. Frontiers in Marine Science. V3, Article 54. (DOI:10.3389/fmars.2016.00054). [Altmetric Score]

Davenport, E.J., M.J. Neudeck, P.G. Matson, G.S. Bullerjahn, T.W. Davis, S.W. Wilhelm, M.K. Denney, L.E. Krausfeldt, J.M.A. Stough, K.A. Meyer, G.J. Dick, T.H. Johengen, E. Lindquist, S.G. Tringe and R.M.L. McKay. 2019. Metatranscriptomic Analyses of Diel Metabolic Functions During a Microcystis Bloom in Western Lake Erie (United States). Frontiers in Microbiology: Aquatic Microbiology. (DOI:10.3389/fmicb.2019.02081). [Altmetric Score]

Fang, S., D.D. Giudice, D. Scavia, C.E. Binding, T.B. Bridgeman, J.D. Chaffin, M.A. Evans, J. Guinness, T.H. Johengen and D.R. Obenour. 2019. A Space-Time Geostatistical Model for Probabilistic Estimation of Harmful Algal Bloom Biomass and Areal Extent. Science of The Total Environment. (DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133776). 

Gill, D., M. Rowe and S.J. Joshi. 2018. Fishing in greener waters: Understanding the impact of harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie anglers and the potential for adoption of a forecast model. Journal of Environmental Management. (DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.08.074). [Altmetric Score]

Gobler, C.J., J.M. Burkholder, T.W. Davis, M.J. Harke, T. Johengen, C.A. Stow and D.B. Van de Waal. 2016. The dual role of nitrogen supply in controlling the growth and toxicity of cyanobacterial blooms. Harmful Algae. 54:87-97. (DOI:10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.010). [Altmetric Score]

Guo, T., E.C. Nisbet and J.F. Martin 2019. Identifying mechanisms of environmental decision-making: How ideology and geographic proximity influence public support for managing agricultural runoff to curb harmful algal blooms. Journal of Environmental Management. 241:264-272. (DOI:10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.04.021). [Altmetric Score]

Kitchens, C.M., T.H. Johengen and T.W. Davis. 2018. Establishing spatial and temporal patterns in Microcystis sediment seed stock viability and their relationship to subsequent bloom development in Western Lake Erie. Plos One. (DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0206821). [Altmetric Score]

LaBuhn, Shelby and J. Val Klump. 2016. Estimating summertime epilimnetic primary production via in situ monitoring in an eutrophic freshwater embayment, Green Bay, Lake Michigan. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 42(5):1026-1035. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2016.07.028). [Altmetric Score]

Liu, Q.; M.D Rowe; E.J. Anderson; C.A. Stow; R.P. Stumpf and T.H. Johengen. 2020. Probabilistic forecast of microcystin toxin using satellite remote sensing, in situ observations and numerical modeling. Environmental Modelling and Software. (DOI:10.1016/j.envsoft.2020.104705). [Altmetric Score]

Meyer, K.A., T.W. Davis, S.B. Watson, V.J. Denef, M.A. Berry and G.J. Dick. 2017. Genome sequences of lower Great Lakes Microcystis sp. reveal strain-specific genes that are present and expressed in western Lake Erie blooms. PLoS One (DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0183859). [Altmetric Score]

Michalak, A.M., E.J. Anderson, D. Beletsky, S. Boland, N.S. Bosch, T.B. Bridgeman, J.D. Chaffin, K.H. Cho, R. Confesor, I. Daloglu, J.V. DePinto, M.A. Evans, G.L. Fahnenstiel, L. He, J.C. Ho, L. Jenkins, T.H. Johengen, K.C. Kuo, E. Laporte, X. Liu, M. McWilliams, M.R. Moore, D.J. Posselt, R.P. Richards, D. Scavia, A.L. Steiner, E. Vaerhamme, D.M. Wright and M.A. Zagorski. 2013. Record-setting algal bloom in Lake Erie caused by agricultural and meteorological trends consistent with expected future conditions. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 110(16):6448-6452. (DOI:10.1073/pnas.1216006110). [Altmetric Score]

Millie, D.F., G.R. Weckman, G.L. Fahnenstiel, H.J. Carrick, E. Ardjmand, W.A. Young II, M. Sayers and R.A. Shuchman. 2014. Using artificial intelligence for CyanoHAB niche modeling: discovery and visualization of Microcystis-environmental associations within western Lake Erie. Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. 71:1642-1654. (DOI:10.1139/cjfas-2013-0654). [Altmetric Score]

Moore, T.S., J.H. Churnside, J.M. Sullivan, M.S. Twardowski, A.R. Nayak, M.N. McFarland, N.D. Stockley, R.W. Gould, T.H. Johengen and S.A. Ruberg. 2019. Vertical distributions of blooming cyanobacteria populations in a freshwater lake from LIDAR observations. Remote Sensing of Environment. 225:347-367. (DOI:10.1016/j.rse.2019.02.025). 

Moore, T.S., C.B. Mouw, J.M. Sullivan, M.S. Twardowski, A. Burtner, A.B. Ciochetto, M.N. McFarland, A.R. Nayak, D. Paladino, N. Stockley, T.H. Johengen, A.W. Yu, S.A. Ruberg and A. Weidemann. 2017. Bio-optical Properties of Cyanobacteria Blooms in Western Lake Erie. Frontiers in Marine Science. (DOI:10.3389/fmars.2017.00300). [Altmetric Score]

Newell, S.E., T.W. Davis, T.H. Johengen, D. Gossiaux, A. Burtner, D. Palladino and M.J. McCarthy. 2019. Reduced forms of nitrogen are a driver of non-nitrogen-fixing harmful cyanobacterial blooms and toxicity in Lake Erie. Harmful Algae. 81:86-93. (DOI:10.1016/j.hal.2018.11.003). [Altmetric Score]

Obenour, D.R., A.D. Gronewold, C.A. Stow and D. Scavia. 2014. Using a Bayesian hierarchical model to improve Lake Erie cyanobacterial bloom forecasts. Water Resources Research. 50(10):7847-7860. (DOI:10.1002/2014WR015616). [Altmetric Score]

Reavie, E.D., M. Cai, M.R. Twiss, H.J. Carrick, T.W. Davis, T.H. Johengen, D. Gossiaux, D.E. Smith, D. Palladino, A. Burtner and G.V. Sgro. Winter–spring diatom production in Lake Erie is an important driver of summer hypoxia. 2016. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 42(3):608-618. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2016.02.013). [Altmetric Score]

Rowe, M.D., E.J. Anderson, T.T. Wynne, R.P. Stumpf, D.L. Fanslow, K. Kijanka, H.A. Vanderploeg, J.R. Strickler and T.W. Davis. 2016. Vertical distribution of buoyant Microcystis blooms in a Lagrangian particle tracking model for short-term forecasts in Lake Erie. Journal of Geophysical Research: Oceans. 121:5296-5314. (DOI:10.1002/2016JC011720). [Altmetric Score]

Rowland, F.E., C.A. Stow, T.H. Johengen. A.M. Burtner, D. Palladino, D.C. Gossiaux, T.W. Davis, L.T. Johnson and S. Ruberg. 2019. Recent Patterns in Lake Erie Phosphorus and Chlorophyll a Concentrations in Response to Changing Loads. Environment, Science, and Technology. (DOI:10.1021/acs.est.9b05326). [Altmetric Score]

Sayers, M.J. K.R. Bosse, R.A. Shuchman, S.A. Ruberg, G.L. Fahnenstiel, G.A. Leshkevich, D.G. Stuart, T.H. Johengen, A.M. Burtner and D. Palladino. Spatial and temporal variability of inherent and apparent optical properties in western Lake Erie: Implications for water quality remote sensing. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 45:490-507. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2019.03.011). [Altmetric Score]

Sayers, M.J., A.G. Grimm, R.A. Shuchman, K.R. Bosse, G.L. Fahnenstiel, S.A. Ruberg and G.A. Leshkevich. 2019. Satellite monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the Western Basin of Lake Erie: A 20-year time-series. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 45:508-521. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2019.01.005). [Altmetric Score]

Scavia, D., J.D. Allan, K.K. Arend, S. Bartell, D. Beletsky, N.S. Bosch, S.B. Brandt, R.D. Briland, I. Daloglu, J.V. DePinto, D.M. Dolan, M.A. Evans, T.M. Farner, D. Goto, H. Han, T.O. Hook, R. Knight, S.A. Ludsin, D.M. Mason, A.M. Michalak, R.P. Richards, J.J. Roberts, D.K. Rucinski, E.S. Rutherford, D.J. Schwab, T. Sesterhenn, H. Zhang and Y. Zhou. 2014. Assessing and addressing the re-eutrophication of Lake Erie: Central basin hypoxia. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 40:226-246. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2014.02.004). [Altmetric Score]

Stauffer, B.A., H.A. Bowers, E. Buckley, T.W. Davis, T.H. Johengen, R. Kudela, M.A. Mcmanus, H. Purcell, G.J. Smith, A. Vander Woude and M.N. Tamburri. 2019. Considerations in Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Monitoring: Perspectives From a Consensus-Building Workshop and Technology Testing. Frontiers in Marine Science. (DOI:10.3389/fmars.2019.00399). [Altmetric Score]

Steffen, M.M., T.W. Davis, R.M. McKay, G.S. Bullerjahn, L.E. Krausfeldt, J.M.A. Stough, M.L. Neitzey, N.E. Gilbert, G.L. Boyer, T.H. Johengen, D.C. Gossiaux, A.M. Burtner, D. Palladino, M.D. Rowe, G.J. Dick, K.A. Meyer, S. Levy, B.E. Boone, R.P. Stumpf, T.T. Wynne, P.V. Zimba, D. Gutierrez and S.W. Wilhelm. 2017. Ecophysiological Examination of the Lake Erie Microcystis Bloom in 2014: Linkages between Biology and the Water Supply Shutdown of Toledo, OH. Environmental Science and Technology. 51(12):6745-6755. (DOI:10.1021/acs.est.7b00856). [Altmetric Score]

Stumpf, R.P., T.W. Davis, T.T Wynne, J.L. Graham, K.A. Loftin, T.H. Johengen, D. Gossiaux, D. Palladino and A.M. Burtner. 2016. Challenges for mapping cyanotoxin patterns from remote sensing of cyanobacteria. Harmful Algae. 54:160-173. (DOI:10.1016/j.hal.2016.01.005). 

Vanderploeg, H.A., Sarnelle, O., Liebig, J.R., Morehead, N.R., Robinson, S.D., Johengen, T.H., Horst, G.P. 2017. Seston Quality Drives Feeding, Stoichiometry and Excretion of Zebra Mussels. Freshwater Biology. 62:664-680. (DOI:10.1111/fwb.12892). [Altmetric Score]

Vander Woude, A., S. Ruberg, T.H. Johengen, R. Miller and D. Stuart. 2019. Spatial and temporal scales of variability of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms from NOAA GLERL airborne hyperspectral imagery. Journal of Great Lakes Research. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2019.02.006). [Altmetric Score]

Zhang, H., L. Boegman, D. Scavia, D.A. Culver. 2016. Spatial distributions of external and internal phosphorus loads in Lake Erie and their impacts on phytoplankton and water quality. Journal of Great Lakes Research. 42:1212-1227. (DOI:10.1016/j.jglr.2016.09.005). [Altmetric Score]