Regional Harmful Algal Bloom Research Project Laura Webb

Regional Harmful Algal Bloom Research Project Laura Webb, EPA Region 7

Disclaimer • The views expressed in this presentation are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency or the U. S. Government. Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute endorsement or recommendation for use.

What is RARE? • Regional Applied Research Effort • Any high priority research need that the region has and that ORD has the expertise to address • Each region nominates projects and choses, based on merit and funding, which ones move forward

Development of Strategies and Methods for Monitoring for Algal Blooms and Occurrence of Toxic Algae Using Next Generation q. PCR and Phylochip Microarrays • EPA Region 7 – Laura Webb, Regina Klepikow, Steven Baker, and our regional ORD liaison, Amy Shields • ORD Exposure Methods and Measurements, National Exposure Research Laboratory, Microbial Exposure Branch – Eric Villegas, Jingrang Lu

Expected Products: • Evaluate the use of q. PCR/RT-PCR and Phylochip to characterize toxic species • Validate and customize assays to detect toxin producing cyanobacteria • Correlate these with chemical and physical parameters

• Four lakes chosen within easy driving distance to science and technology center in KC, KS • Two lakes chosen to represent “reference” conditions, or less impacted area (Bethany, MO and 9 Eagles State Park, IA) • Two lakes chosen to represent know HAB locations (Smithville Lake, MO and Lake Perry, KS)

• For our lakes, we looked at past bloom events, historical data, and watershed characteristics from each site Lake Perry Class Land Cover Type Area Square Meters Percent 11 Open Water 75, 136, 369. 026455 2. 57 116, 533, 948. 834666 3. 99 24, 630, 260. 437693 0. 84 3, 690, 896. 733351 0. 13 24 Developed, High Intensity 647, 525. 742693 0. 02 31 Barren Land 444, 274. 606792 0. 02 41 Deciduous Forest 356, 560, 949. 555332 12. 20 42 Evergreen Forest 167, 277. 483529 0. 01 43 Mixed Forest 4, 020, 954. 993863 0. 14 52 Shrub/Scrub 6, 218, 945. 153783 0. 21 71 Herbaceous 256, 804, 212. 845585 8. 79 81 Hay/Pasture 1, 332, 384, 042. 476630 45. 60 82 Cultivated Crops 715, 621, 168. 609198 24. 49 90 Woody Wetlands 19, 090, 317. 972429 0. 65 95 Emergent Herbaceous Wetlands 10, 110, 394. 999107 0. 35 2, 922, 061, 539. 471110 100. 00 21 Developed, Open Space 22 Developed, Low Intensity 23 Developed, Medium Intensity

Sampling Plan • Sampled each lake weekly on Tuesday • Surface water samples at 3 locations at each beach • Composited grab samples for chemical • Sterile grab samples for molecular, composited post-sampling • Phytoplankton net for taxonomy • In situ using two YSI sondes

Analytes • Chemical: Metals, PAH, pesticides, herbicides, pharmaceuticals, nutrients, anions, personal care products, hormones, endocrine disrupters, chlorophyll a • Cyanotoxins: ELISA (MC and CYL), LCMSMS MC congeners (ORD) • Biological: cyanobacteria, e coli • Molecular: cyanobacteria DNA, community DNA • In situ: DO, p. H, turbidity, conductivity, temperature, chlorophyll a, phycocyanin

Aug 6 -12 Aug 13 -19 Aug 20 -26 ibe r T o on po a m k o c i K d blo r on e t r o rep are Rive Delaw 7 8/7/1

Taxonomic Identification • • • Microcystis * Aphanizomenon ** Dolichospermum Merismopedia Cylindrospermopsis Planktrothrix Pseudoanabaena Phorimidium Woronichina

Questions? Webb. laura@epa. gov Lake Perry, July 18, 2017 Thanks