Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes

This essay discusses the harmful algal blooms in the Great Lakes, their impact on the ecosystem, and the factors contributing to their formation. It also explores the threats posed by these blooms and provides recommendations for intervention and control.

Running head: HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
Introduction:
Among the various ecological issues that are representing themselves, the algal bloom
can be defined as the most significant one. Algal bloom can be defined as the rapid and
uncontrolled growth of the algal and cyanobacteria species in the water bodies, which in turn
can result in the appearance of a coloured scum on the surface of the water. The rapid
multiplication of the different algal species in the water which in turn accumulates in the
fresh and marine water systems (1). The algal bloom is recognized by the discoloration of the
water body due to the pigments of the varied
range of the algal species overpopulating the
water surface. Although, cyanobacteria are
largely mistaken to be algae, the cyanobacteria
bloom is not considered to be an algal bloom,
although it leads to similar impacts (2). It has to
be mentioned in this context, the impact of an algal bloom can be delimiting the on the
ecosystem of the water body that it is affecting. Hence, undoubtedly, algal bloom has a huge
deleterious impact on the water bodies, delivering both ecological and financial impact. As a
result, there is a deliberating need for characterizing the harmful impact of the harmful
impact of algal blooms and explore new strategies to be recommended to control the rapid
growth of the harmful algal blooms to protect the quality of the water body (3). This essay
will discuss in detail the harmful algal bloom, the different factors that contribute to
appearance of the harmful algal blooms, the threats of harmful algal blooms and lastly,
interventions and recommendations.
Algal bloom:
Algae and cyanobacteria are the normal composition of the most of the aquatic
ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. Algae and cyanobacteria, which are also

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
known as blue green algae or BGA, are the prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms which are
present in abundance in the ecosystems. These organisms are photosynthetic and can produce
their own food from sunlight, making them the primary producers of the ecosystem. Algae
serves an imperative role in a variety of ecosystems, providing both food and shelter to
different species of aquatic faunae (4). However, in certain cases, there are certain toxic
algae or cyanobacteria species present and
overpopulating the water body. This condition
is referred to as the “algal blooms”, which in
turn can be harmful for the ecosystem. There
are a variety of factors that contribute to the
development of an algal blooms, these factors
include limiting nutrients, climate change, and pollution.
For instance, the deleterious impact of the harmful algal bloom includes fish die-offs,
cities cutting off water to residents, or states having to close fisheries (2). The presence of an
algal bloom can also block the entry of sunlight in the water body for the rest of the
organisms, which in turn can lead to depleted oxygen levels for the water body, eventually
deleteriously impacting the whole
ecosystem of the water body. Along
with that, it also needs to be
acknowledged in this context, that
certain algal and cyanobacteria species
are also toxic, elaborating more in this
context, certain species in the algal
bloom can also release toxins in the

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water body, in turn affecting the water quality irreversibly and making the ecosystem of the
water body uninhabitable for the rest of the organisms (5).
The algal bloom in the great lakes:
The biodiversity of the algal
blooms can be eccentric, involving a
myriad of species and genera, and for
each subtype, it is crucial for the
ecologists and marine biologists to have a
clear ideation regarding the exact kinds of species and genera found, so that targeted steps
can be taken to ensure controlling each of the species that are affecting the water quality and
the ecosystem of the water bodies. The focus of this assay is on the algal blooms affecting the
great lakes, located on the Canada-United States border.
The great lakes connecting the Canada with the United States is a significant
geographical location which has a strong impact on the local culture and the economy of the
people. On a more elaborative note, it has to be mentioned that the great lakes are a
significant resource to the economy and culture of the entire area, the lake provides the
people of the area with drinking water, recreational activities, and tourism. It is needed to be
discussed in this context that the water bodies of
the great lakes are also inhabited by a wide range
of faunae, including migratory and resident birds.
It is needed to be discussed in this context that
20% of the entire world’s fresh water is supplied
from the great lake, hence, the presence of a
harmful algal bloom in the great lakes can impact
all of the mentioned benefits provided by the lake

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
to the ecosystem and population of the area (5).
Discussing the presence of the algal bloom, authors have described the lakes to be
experiencing a huge growth of cyanobacteria or the blue green algae, ever since the 1960s.
The cyanobacteria are naturally occurring plant-like organism, found in shallow, warm, slow
moving waters that contain the toxin microystin. It has to be mentioned in this context that
phosphorous and nitrogen are limiting nutrients in the fresh water environment, and they
either limit or accelerate the growth of an organism. In the great lakes, especially in the Lake
Erie, which is the most vulnerable to the algal bloom, exhibits nutrient loading, excess of the
phosphorous and nitrogen, which in turn has led to cyanobacteria bloom. As discussed by the
Canadian research reports, in the Great Lakes, the main types of algae are green algae,
Cladophora or Spirogyra and blue-green algae, Microcystis (18).
Elaborating further, the Lake Erie houses cyanobacteria bloom the highest, with the
BGA Microcystis blooms commonly reported to occur in late summer and early fall.
Whereas, the algal bloom in the Lake Erie can be contributed to nutrient loading, the algal
blooming in the Lake Superior is more or less due to the rapid and incessant climatic
changes. Large masses of green algae, including certain toxic species have been found in
Lake Superior, along with certain
cyanobacteria species including the
Microcystis. On the other hand, the
other two lakes, Lake Huron and
Lake Michigan have been reported to
have the minimal algal growth, in
turn exhibiting the least risk of
developing harmful algal blooming,

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
most presumably due to the larger volume of the lake and the water of the lake is difficult to
be easily heated up. On the other hand, the lake Ontario, the last of the five great lakes in the
Canada- United States border, is easy to be heated up in the summer, in turn being prime
target for algal blooming. The alarming rate of algal bloom development in the lake Ontario
is alarming, and the scientists have narrowed it down to the temperature effect, with
Microcystis, Cladophora and Spirogyra to be commonly found species in this case as well.
Hence, from the above exploration and evaluation, it can be easily stated that the most
alarming harmful algal bloom has been seen in the Lake Erie, although, Lake Superior and
Lake Ontario also are experiencing noticeable harmful algal bloom and is needed to be taken
into consideration (5).
Role of nutrient and climate change: The environmental factors:
From the exploration of the literature and data sources, the Lake Erie exhibits the
highest and the most alarming algal blooming in the past couple of year, with severity that
has attracted the attention of the authorities, both local and global. The scientists indicate at
the most notable contributing factor to development of overpopulation of harmful algal
bloom in the Lake Erie has been due to nutrient loading. In the early to mid-1960s, the water
quality of the Lake Erie was attributed to be excellent, aided by the Clean Water Act, Annual
total phosphorus (TP) loading to the lake decreased from nearly 30,000 t (33,069 tn) in the
late-1960s to less than 11,000 t (12,125 tn) by 1990. However, the last decade, the water
quality of the lake has deteriorated to a significant level (6). Harmful algal blooms (HABs)
have increased in frequency and magnitude in western Lake Erie and spring phosphorus (P)
load was shown to be a key driver of bloom intensity (3). Many authors have argued the fact
that the climate change during the spring, summer and fall contributes to the phosphorus load
of the water bodies. On a more elaborative note, the majority of phosphorus (P) transport

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
from agricultural fields to receiving waters occurs during storm events. In the past 10 to 15
years, spring rainfall has increased by approximately 25%, and the size and intensity of these
events have also increased. As a result, more and more phosphorus is being transferred to the
Lake Erie in the spring, which leads to nutrient loading essential for the harmful Algal bloom
development (8).
Similarly, eutrophication undoubtedly has a significant role in the formation of many
harmful algal blooms, which in nothing but the excessive accumulation of nutrients in the
water. However, many authors have argued the fact that the impact of nitrogen enrichment
has a more profound effect on the development of
algal blooms than the phosphorus load. The fresh
water systems are considered to be naturally
Phosphorus limited, and hence, most of the bloom
reduction and management plans are directed at
reducing phosphorus loads, but not taking into
consideration the excessive nitrogen accumulation at all (7). The findings of the study by the
authors on the other hand has described the role of nitrogen enrichment that can also
accelerate the rapid growth of algal bloom, especially the blue green algae. In fact, the
species of N employed during field experiments strongly influenced whether toxic or non-
toxic strains dominated Microcystis populations are inhabiting the lake population or not, due
to the fact that the toxic Microcystis strains were more stimulated by nitrogen enrichment of
the water bodies frequently than the non-toxic strains of Microcystis (9).
The next most important factor that contributes profoundly to the formation of algal
blooms in the climatic change. The change in the climate contributes largely in accelerating
the growth of the cyanobacteria growth by providing ideal microclimatic conditions in the
water bodies for it to be developed, as what has been reported in the Lake Superior (6). On a

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
more elaborative note, cyanobacteria thrives in the warm waters, with the ever-rising global
warming rates, the global temperature of the water is also rising rapidly. With the rise of the
temperature in the water, especially in the surface levels, atmospheric carbon dioxide levels
also increase rapidly, which in turn is very effective cyanobacteria growth or overpopulation,
which has occurred in the Lake Superior itself (10).
Chemical and industrial factors:
Along with the above mentioned environmental factors, the impact of chemical
factors, including the industrial emissions have a huge impact on the acceleration of the algal
bloom or harmful algal bloom. The sea spray aerosol along with the lake spray aerosol which
are generated from wave breaking leads to high particulate matter accumulation in the coastal
regions, especially near the coastal regions and near the fresh water lakes as well (13). The
authors have also discussed the fact that both sea spray aerosol and lake spray aerosol
contributes to high aerosol concentration in the inland regions, and the LSA or lake spray
aerosol has a potential climate altering implications due to incorporation of organic and
biological material from harmful algal blooms. As the aerosol emission is mostly due to the
industrial operations and their emission in the lake water, the unprecedented actions of the
industrial operations in the surrounding area can contribute largely to overpopulation of the
harmful algal bloom (11).
Threats of harmful algal blooms:
There are various threats associated with algal or cyanobacteria blooms. First and
foremost, with a noticeable bloom, two most common and notable impacts or consequences
of an algal bloom, especially a blue green algal bloom, includes hypoxia, and anoxia. As the
algal bloom depletes the available oxygen concentrations of the water bodies, the dissolved
oxygen levels drops which leads to hypoxia and in case of severe algal bloom, the dissolved
oxygen levels become extremely low and even reach the zero point, which is called anoxia.

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
During a cyanobacteria bloom, an excess of dead and decaying cyanobacteria can result in
hypoxia or anoxia (18). In both conditions, the lack of oxygen suffocates the existing
organisms in the water body and in case of severe anoxia in the water body, it is more
common to occur in pockets of bodies of water, called “dead zones,”, and in case necessary
steps are not taken to reduce the harmful algal bloom, the anoxia can spread to affect the
entire body of water, suffocating hundreds of species of aquatic flora and fauna. Similarly,
certain algal bloom constituting species are toxic and contribute to releasing harmful toxins in
the water body, such as Microcystis, which in turn can kill many aquatic plant and animal
species including fishes.
However, in most cases, low concentration of the toxins does not kill the host but in
turn travels in the body of the fishes to humans (15). Blue-green algae that form HABs have
been known to produce a wide array of neurotoxins, liver toxins, cell toxins and skin irritants.
Consuming these toxins on a large extent by animals and humans causes muscle cramps,
twitching, paralysis, cardiac or respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting and liver failure (10).
As Microcystis is one of the most commonly found blue green algae in all of the algal blooms
of the great lakes, skin irritating toxins found largely in the BGA species, produces symptoms

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
including skin irritation, rashes and gastrointestinal distress. Moreover, due to all of the
mentioned harmful effects of algal bloom, it also affects the fisheries and marine products.
HABs reduce tourism, close beaches and shellfish beds, and decrease the catch from both
recreational and commercial fisheries (18).
Strategic recommendations to control HAB:
First and most effective technique of
controlling or reducing the harmful impact of algal
bloom or cyanobacteria bloom, it is very
importantly to effectively track them. NOAA’s
Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab
(GLERL) generates the HAB Tracker, a Lake Erie HAB forecast available in a variety of
visual and text-based formats. Similarly, multi-spectral remote sensing technology involving
the phytoplankton pigment absorption technology can also help detect, control and manage
cyanobacteria bloom (16).
This regional example study that has been carried out in the Lake Erie, provides
reliable and authentic data on the efficiency or effectiveness of the same and how it can
replicated in similar setting for the other lakes. On the other hand, re-eutrophication models
have also been successful in generating soluble and total Phosphorus reduction targets for
Lake Erie, which can reduce the concentrations of the different green and blue green algal
species, in turn reducing the algal bloom as well (17). On the other hand, a huge challenge
involving a rapidly growing algal bloom is the disruption caused by the massive fish-kills due
to the toxins released by the algal species. Reservoir-wide fish meta-assemblage is one
strategic technique which has enabled rapid recovery of local fish assemblages after being
invaded by ecosystem disrupting algal blooms (19). The last strategic recommendation to be
provided is application of Multi‐criteria decision analysis technique, which provided

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
noticeable results in four interrelated domains of impact of HABs, human health,
environmental impact, social impact, and technical feasibility (14).
Conclusion:
On a concluding note, the harmful impact of algal blooms are multifactorial, which
not only deteriorates the quality of the water body and destroys the ecosystem of the water
body, the harmful algal blooms also disrupts the human life across various domains, causing
many toxin related diseases and even serving a strong financial impact on the lives of the
population in the surrounding area as well. This essay has successfully explored the exact
nature of algal blooms, the different types and the species most commonly found, pertaining
to the great lakes, Lake Superior, Lake Ontario, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan, and Lake Erie.
The research indicated at the fact that the Lake Erie represents the highest threat of harmful
algal bloom, closely rivalled by Lake Superior and Lake Ontario. The essay has also
discussed the role of environmental factors, both eutrophication and climate change, along
with industrial aerosol emission on the acceleration of algal blooms in the concerned lakes.
Lastly, the essay has explored the harmful impacts and threats associated with harmful algal
blooming, which affects the whole ecosystem, the humans, culturally, financially and
physically as well. The essay has also provided a series of strategic recommendations,
established on data findings of authentic and relevant research studies, which if followed
correctly, can help in reducing and controlling the algal blooms successfully.

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
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