The document discusses the monitoring and impacts of harmful algal blooms (HABs), focusing on their definitions, ecological and health threats, and the technology used for their detection. It highlights the significance of understanding algal pigments, various monitoring techniques, and the need for early detection to prevent negative consequences. The presentation emphasizes the integration of meteorological and water quality parameters for effective HAB management and introduces resources for further information on the topic.

1. Stephanie A. Smith, Ph.D.
Stephanie.Smith@Xyleminc.com
Monitoring for Harmful
Algal Blooms
From Data to Decisions – Part I

2. Today’s Agenda
Introductions
Defining “Harmful” Algal Blooms (HABs)
• Factors that contribute to HABs & why they are problematic
Monitoring Water Quality for HABs
• Parameters that lead to or result from blooms
Understanding Algal Pigments & Fluorescence-Based Sensing
• From satellites to handheld devices
Leveraging Pigment Data to Mitigate Blooms
Q&A
2

3. Our Featured Speaker
Dr. Stephanie A. Smith
3
BACKGROUND
Ph.D. in Microbiology
The Ohio State University
§ Assistant Professor
§ Senior Scientist
§ Entrepreneur
§ Product Manager

4. The World of Harmful Algal Blooms
Freshwater Marine
Chris Goble,
Stony Brook, Long Island NY
CBC Canada

5. Freshwater HABs are obvious, right?

6. Or are they?....
6
P. rubescens and M. aeruginosa
Heather Raymond, OH EPA, 2012
Suspected Planktothrix rubescens,
but turned out to be Euglena
Heather Raymond, OH EPA, 2012

7. Or are they?....
Ohio EPA, accessed February 2013
www.epa.state.oh.us/portals/35/inland_lakes/
Planktothrix, Linda Merchant-Masonbrink
Cylindrospermopsis, Heather Raymond

8. Or are they?
8
Lake St. Clair, MI
Photo Vijay Kannappan, 2012
WBEZ News December 23, 2012

9. What is a Harmful Algal Bloom?
• “Bloom” — overgrowth of algae, usually (but not always) visible or obvious
• “Algae” — often not true algae, but rather cyanobacteria, a.k.a. “blue-green algae”
• “Harmful” —posing a potential threat to animal and human health
HAB Impacts:
o Toxins

10. Toxic Cyanobacteria
10
Toxin Organisms Target Effects
Microcystin
Microcystis, Anabaena,
Aphanizomenon, Anabaenopsis,
Planktothrix
Liver
Abdominal pain, vomiting and
diarrhea, liver inflammation,
dermatitis, and more…
Anatoxin
Anabaena, Aphanizomenon,
Cylindrospermopsis, Oscillatoria,
Planktothrix
Nervous
system
Tingling, burning, numbness,
drowsiness, slurred speech
Cylindro-
spermopsin
Cylindrospermopsis,Aphanizom-
enon, Umezakia, Lyngbya,
Rhaphidiopsis, Anabaena
Liver See Microcystin
Saxitoxin Scytonema, Lyngbya
Nervous
system
Tingling, numbness, nausea,
vomiting. Can result in paralysis
and possible death.

11. But are toxins all that matter? (POLL #1)
Photos by Steve Morton, NOAA

12. But are toxins all that matter?
12
Ohio EPA, 2011
http://epa.ohio.gov/portals/28/LakeErie_NonDetectAtIntake.jpg

13. But are toxins all that matter?
13

14. What is a Harmful Algal Bloom?
• “Bloom” — overgrowth of algae, usually (but not always) visible or obvious
• “Algae” — often not true algae, but rather cyanobacteria, a.k.a. “blue-green algae”
• “Harmful” —posing a potential threat to animal and human health and/or causing
adverse ecological impacts
HAB Impacts:
o Toxins
o Anoxic conditions that kill fish
o Taste and odor issues in drinking water
o Economic damage at recreational lakes

15. What are you going to do about it?
“Actual detection of HABs and forecasting of blooms is very important to
NIEHS, because that allows us to employ prevention strategies,” Tyson
says.“If people have a better way of detecting, then they have a better
way of forecasting and providing the public with information they need
to protect themselves.”
—Fred Tyson, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences,
from Environ Health Perspect 2014 22(8):A206-A213.
15

16. What are you going to do about it?
16
But what are you going to detect?

17. 17
Bloom Conditions - Weather

18. Monitor this… Because…
Temperature High temperatures favor cyanobacteria
Barometric
pressure
Affects dissolved gases at water’s surface
Wind Blooms can migrate with wind patterns, and wind impacts mixing
PAR Photosynthetically Active Radiation—the energy source for growth of
blue-green algae
Rainfall Can stimulate nutrient introduction into waterways
18
HAB Monitoring - Meteorological

19. 19
Bloom Conditions — Water Quality

20. Monitor this… Because…
Temperature High temperatures favor cyanobacteria
pH ↑ pH due to high growth; makes CO2 more bioavailable
Turbidity A surrogate for increased biomass; may also be indicative of
nutrient-bearing suspended solids during runoff events
dO2
Decreases during a bloom; can lead to fish kills
Conductivity Blue-green algae generally thrive in lower conductivity
Nitrogen and
phosphorus
Growth-limiting nutrients can stimulate blooms when in high
concentrations (eutrophic water)
Chlorophyll Found in almost all algae
Phycocyanin Found specifically in freshwater blue-green algae
Phycoerythrin Found specifically in marine blue-green algae
20
HAB Monitoring—Water Quality

21. Section Summary
It isn’t always easy to see a Harmful Algal Bloom
• By the time you can it’s too late!
• Not all blooms look alike; you might have one and not know
• Just because it looks heavy, doesn’t mean it’s making toxins
Early detection of a bloom is optimal
The best approach to detection is to monitor a suite of meteorological
and water quality parameters
The most widely used fluorescence-based tools leverage the pigments of
algae

22. Understanding
Algal Pigments
22

23. Cyanobacteria = Blue-Green Algae
...but are they Algae?
23
Barry Rosen, USGS
AnabaenaLyngbya
Microcystis

24. Cyanobacteria are bacteria, which
means that they...
• Grow faster than a lot of other microplankton
24
Figure 4 from Paerl & Paul (2012),
Water Research 46:1349-1363

25. 25
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chloroplast
Cyanobacteria are bacteria, which
means that they...
• Have some unique pigments in their thylakoids

26. In the thylakoids...
26 Campbell D et al. Microbial. Mol. Biol. Rev. 1998;62:667-683
PC
Chl

27. 27
Everything that does
photosynthesis has
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll

28. 28
Chlorophyll
Blue-green algae have
Phycocyanin
Phycocyanin in Cyanobacteria

29. 29
HAB Monitoring
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
ChlorophyllChlorophyll
= More Algae

30. 30
HAB Monitoring + PC
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll
ChlorophyllChlorophyll
= More Blue-Green
Algae
Phycocyanin
PhycocyaninPhycocyanin
PhycocyaninPhycocyanin

31. 31
Waste Heat
6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Photosynthesis
Other Fates
• Pigment destruction
• Triplet state conversion
• Reactive Oxygen generation
Light
(Fluorescence)
Photosynthetic Pigments
are Fluorescent
PC
Chl
PE

32. What is Fluorescence?
Absorption
• A molecule absorbs light
• Sometimes called “excitation”
32
Emission
• The molecule emits light of a
longer wavelength, but lower
energy
• The energy that was absorbed but not released as light went
somewhere else: waste heat, photosynthesis, etc.
• Individual photosynthetic pigments have unique absorption and
emission spectra

33. Absorption and Emission Spectra
of Chlorophyll
33
Chlorophyll a in methanol

34. Absorption and Emission spectra
of Phycocyanin
34
Phycocyanin in water

35. 35
Waste Heat
6 CO2 + 6 H2O C6H12O6 + 6 O2
Photosynthesis
Other Fates
• Pigment destruction
• Triplet state conversion
• Reactive Oxygen generation
Light
(Fluorescence)
In the Thylakoids…
PC
Chl
PE

36. 36
Pigment Peak Ex ʎ Peak Em ʎ
Phycoerythrin 550 650
Phycocyanin 625 650
Allo-
phycocyanin
615,650 655
Chlorophyll 440, 662 680
• Chlorophyll can absorb some
of the light emitted by PE and
PC
• Sensors measure the emitted
light
• Big advantage: highly
sensitive measurements, with
high specificity
Fluorescent Pigments
We can identify pigments based on
their absorption and emission spectra:

37. Section Summary
Chlorophyll, phycocyanin, and phycoerythrin function in photosynthesis
• Phycoerythrin is mainly in marine cyanobacteria
Each pigment is fluorescent, with unique excitation and emission
properties
Some pigments emit light that gets absorbed by other pigments
• E.g., phycocyanin emits light that can be absorbed by chlorophyll
Fluorescence forms the basis for highly sensitive, and highly specific
monitoring and measurement tools for cyanobacteria

38. Water Quality Monitoring for HABs: How
to Monitor Using Pigments
38

39. 39
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites

40. Grab Samples & Lab Analysis
Measuring, which is distinct from monitoring
• Slow and expensive for making decisions
• Still necessary to ground-truth monitoring data
• Paired with monitoring:
o Reduce material & labor costs
o Reduce time
40

41. 41
Sample Concentrate Extract Measure
Grab Samples and Lab Analysis
EPA 544
LC/MS/MS
for Microcystins
Enzyme-linked
Immunosorbent Assays
(ELISA)

42. 42
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites

43. Satellite Monitoring
• Spectral analysis of fluorescent pigments
• Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer
(MODIS) sensors aboard the Terra and Aqua satellites
and the Ocean and Land Color Instrument (OLCI) sensor
aboard the Sentinel-3 satellite
• Gulf of Mexico and Lake Erie Monitoring by NOAA
43

44. NOAA HAB Bulletin, 20 July 2017
44
Planktothrix
Microcystis
To subscribe:
https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNOAANOS/subscriber/new

45. NOAA HAB Bulletin, 24 July 2017
45

46. Satellite Monitoring
Data to Decisions: Are conditions similar in
your area?
• Often when things are happening in Erie,
they’re heating up in the Midwest!
Limited to major bodies of water for now
• Commercial offerings are emerging
Some occlusion from cloud cover
Only uses pigments—no other parameters
at this time
46

47. 47
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites

48. 48
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites
Multiparameter Monitoring

49. Water Quality Sensors for:
• Turbidity
• pH
• Temperature / Conductivity
• dO2
Total Algae Sensor (TAL)
• Chlorophyll and
• Phycocyanin or phycoerythrin
Central wiper to protect against
sensor fouling
Internal or external continuous data
logging
49
Multiparameter Monitoring

50. Multiparameter Monitoring:
Continuous or Spot
Spot Sampling or Continuous:
Which approach makes sense for you?
50

51. 11.66mg/l
10.27
mg/l
9.58mg/l
Weekly
Multiparameter Monitoring:
Continuous or Spot

52. 11.66mg/l
10.27mg/l
9.58mg/l
Weekly
Daily
Multiparameter Monitoring:
Continuous or Spot

53. 11.66mg/l
10.27mg/l
9.58mg/l
Weekly
Daily
Hourly
Multiparameter Monitoring:
Continuous or Spot

54. Continuous HAB Monitoring
54
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
12/12/20151/31/20163/21/20165/10/20166/29/20168/18/201610/7/201611/26/20161/15/2017 3/6/2017 4/25/2017
Precipitation(inches)
BGA-PCug/L
YSI Test Site
BGA PC Conc
precip

55. Continuous HAB Monitoring
55
0.00
0.20
0.40
0.60
0.80
1.00
1.20
1.40
1.60
1.80
2.00
0
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
12/12/20151/31/20163/21/20165/10/20166/29/20168/18/201610/7/201611/26/20161/15/2017 3/6/2017 4/25/2017
Precipitation(inches)
Chlorophyllug/L
YSI Test Site
Chlorophyll
precip

56. Multiparameter Monitoring:
Continuous or Spot
Data to Decisions:
• Use to guide a program of grab samples/lab analyses
• Pair with metrological data to support your decisions
• How much data do you need to make your decisions?
• YSI Facebook Live Event
Continuous can yield very large data sets: every 15 min for up to
90 days!
56

57. 57
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites

58. Profiling with Telemetry
• Powerful combination of multiparameter
monitoring with telemetry of data
• Fixed and floating systems
• Vertical profiling offers major advantages in
the context of HABs
58

59. Vertical distribution of M. aeruginosa
59
Credit:
http://www1.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/library/webb/BOT311/
Cyanobacteria/Cyanobacteria.htm

60. Vertical distribution of M. aeruginosa
Coupling hydrodynamics and buoyancy regulation in Microcystis aeruginosa for
its vertical distribution in lakes.
Medrano et al. (2013) Ecological Modelling 248:41-56
60
Percentactivelysinking

61. Source Water Monitoring ISS Profiler
Weather
Telemetry
Data Acquisition
Water Quality

62. Profiling with Telemetry
Data to Decisions:
• Get your data where you want it, when you want it
• Key decisions like where to intake your water, when
and where to treat source waters
• But it’s a lot of data....
62

63. 63
HAB Monitoring
Monitoring
Satellites
Handheld
Fluorometers
Continuous
Monitoring
Grab Samples
Fixed Buoy
with Sonde
Spot Monitoring
Vertical
Profiling
with
Sonde
Lab Analyses
Telemetry
Satellites

64. Final Summary
Fluorescent pigments are the basis for the most sensitive HAB monitoring
tools available today
• Pigments are used in a variety of monitoring and measuring contexts
• For early detection of HABs, pair pigment monitoring with monitoring for other WQ
parameters
Combined with telemetry, managers can have immediate insights to help
them respond rapidly to an oncoming HAB
64

65. Available (and Upcoming)
HAB Resources
65

66. Future Webinar
Data to Decisions Part II: Handling the Data
• Interest in a deeper dive on the sensor technologies?
• Upcoming partnership with Aquatic Informatics
66

67. You might want to follow...
NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System (HAB-OFS)
https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab_info.html
67

68. You might want to follow...
68
Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission’s
Red Tide Status
http://myfwc.com/REDTIDESTATUS

69. Mission: Water Magazine | Issue No. 3
69

70. Q&A with
Dr. Stephanie A. Smith info@ysi.com
+1 (937) 767-2762
Contact us: