Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015

Foster, Guy M.; Graham, Jennifer L.; Stiles, Tom C.; Boyer, Marvin G.; King, Lindsey R.; Loftin, Keith A.

doi:10.3133/sir20165168

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Traditional methods for monitoring HAB dynamics are constrained in their ability to capture biological and environmental data at both relevant spatial and temporal scales (Cullen, 2008;Ruddick et al, 2008a). Field sampling campaigns can be directed and comprehensive, but are restricted to a few sites at some discrete snapshots in time, are weather limited, and affected by bloom "patchiness" (Foster et al, 2017). Continuous monitoring systems are constrained to a single (or a few) location(s) and miss spatial structure (Chang and Dickey, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

Xomchuk,

Duncan,

McFarland

et al. 2023

Preprint

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This article describes the main findings of a full year of continuous operation of a 2-meter Autonomous Sail and Solar Surface Drone, the Nav2 (Navocean Inc.), as part of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring program in Lake Okeechobee. The Nav2 was equipped with a set of water quality and atmospheric sensors, that recorded high frequency measurements (\textless 1 min) and transmitted near real-time information to allow reporting through a web portal for assessment and operation responses. Major findings include detection of HABs early in the year through chlorophyll (chl-a) and phycocyanin (phyco) fluorometric measurements, as well as different spatial scales of variability in the algal patches. The 24/7 high resolution monitoring allowed detection of patch motion and discrimination between growth and motion along a transect. Furthermore, the platform can potentially fingerprint specific HAB species based on the relatively fine-scale spatial expression of the phyco to chl-a ratio, which essentially captures the bloom macrostructure (e.g. surface scums versus more uniform sub-surface waves over 0.1 - 1 km scale). Sensor outputs, when converted to concentrations based on calibrated with pure laboratory standards, did not accurately yield true chl-a or phyco values when compared to validation samples, likely due to the high turbidity of the lake. However, routine solid-state validations of fluorometric measurements proved useful for assessing consistency in optical sensors to check for sensor drift (e.g. to due biofouling), which was not significant. Overall this demonstration shows that the Nav2 can uniquely and reliably provide in situ HAB and environmental monitoring capabilities in a large, turbid, shallow lake. We envision that platform as an innovative technology for water resource managers by providing turn-key long-duration baseline environmental data (hands-off waypoint navigation), early warnings of HABs for protecting human health, and for HAB mitigation monitoring.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

Xomchuk,

Duncan,

McFarland

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Traditional methods for monitoring HAB dynamics are constrained in their ability to capture biological and environmental data at both relevant spatial and temporal scales (Cullen, 2008;Ruddick et al, 2008a). Field sampling campaigns can be directed and comprehensive, but are restricted to a few sites at some discrete snapshots in time, are weather limited, and a↵ected by bloom "patchiness" (Foster et al, 2017). Continuous monitoring systems are constrained to a single (or a few) location(s) and miss spatial structure (Chang and Dickey, 2008).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

Xomchuk,

Duncan,

McFarland

et al. 2023

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This article describes the main findings of a full year of continuous oper- ation of a 2-meter Autonomous Sail and Solar Surface Drone, the Nav2 (Navocean Inc.), as part of a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring program in Lake Okeechobee. The Nav2 was equipped with a set of water quality and atmospheric sensors, that recorded high frequency measurements (< 1 min) and transmitted near real-time information to allow reporting through a web portal for assessment and operation responses. Major findings include detection of HABs early in the year through chlorophyll (chl-a) and phycocyanin (phyco) fluorometric measurements, as well as different spatial scales of variability in the algal patches. The 24/7 high resolution monitoring allowed detection of patch motion and discrimination between growth and motion along a transect. Furthermore, the platform can potentially fingerprint specific HAB species based on the relatively fine-scale spatial expression of the phyco to chl-a ratio, which essentially captures the bloom macrostructure (e.g. surface scums versus more uniform sub-surface waves over 0.1 - 1 km scale). Sensor outputs, when converted to concentrations based on calibrated with pure laboratory standards, did not accurately yield true chl-a or phyco values when compared to validation samples, likely due to the high turbidity of the lake. However, routine solid-state validations of fluorometric measurements proved useful for assessing consistency in optical sensors to check for sensor drift (e.g. to due biofouling), which was not significant. Overall this demonstration shows that the Nav2 can uniquely and reliably provide in situ HAB and environmental monitoring capabilities in a large, turbid, shallow lake. We envision that platform as an innovative technology for water resource managers by providing turn-key long-duration baseline environmental data (hands-off waypoint navigation), early warnings of HABs for protecting human health, and for HAB mitigation monitoring.

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“…Approximately 15% of sampled lakes had detectable microcystins, saxitoxins, or both (anatoxin and cylindrospermopsin were not detected) (Loftin et al, 2016). Longer term monitoring studies on Cheney and Milford Reservoirs have shown consistent cyanobacteria bloom events nearly annually with variable spatial extent, frequency, and magnitude (Foster et al, 2017;Graham et al, 2017;Foster et al, 2019;Leiker et al, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

What’s It Worth? Estimating the Potential Value of Early Warnings of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms for Managing Freshwater Reservoirs in Kansas, United States

Pindilli

Loftin

2022

Front. Environ. Sci.

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Cyanobacterial blooms are an issue drawing increasing concern in freshwater lakes and reservoirs in the United States due to the real and sometimes perceived harms they can cause through cyanotoxin production or other effects. These types of blooms are often referred to as cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs). Cyanotoxin exposure can potentially lead to human health effects through recreation and consumption of drinking water and may impact fisheries, wildlife, domestic pets, and livestock. Characterizing the societal impacts of cyanotoxin production, exposure, and effects and estimating the potential value of information of an early warning system can inform and support freshwater lake and reservoir management decisions and future research directions. A Bayesian decision tree analysis was utilized to identify uses, users, and benefits of the information provided by this research. Specifically, the potential value related to a cyanoHAB early warning system, based on potential toxicity, was analyzed that would provide information two additional days earlier relative to cyanoHAB toxicity. The evaluation considers the application of this information for freshwater lake management - whether or not to post an advisory or warning to avoid recreational water contact. The model was parameterized with data from the state of Kansas and the value of avoided foregone recreation and avoided health effects was derived. The estimated annual value of information ranges between $565 thousand to $2.3 million (2018 United States Dollars (USD)) for the state of Kansas alone based on provided assumptions. The results demonstrate a lower bound of the value of a cyanoHAB early warning system and suggest additional research to understand how the use and value of this information could support research prioritization and further illustrate the return on research investment. This analysis does not incorporate the full suite of potential societal costs that may be associated with a cyanoHAB event such as drinking water treatment, impacts to irrigation, or power generation.

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Spatial variability of harmful algal blooms in Milford Lake, Kansas, July and August 2015

Cited by 8 publications

References 4 publications

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

Monitoring Lake Okeechobee Harmful Algal Bloom populations and dynamics with a long-duration Autonomous Surface Vehicle

What’s It Worth? Estimating the Potential Value of Early Warnings of Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms for Managing Freshwater Reservoirs in Kansas, United States

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