Researchers from Laurentian University are delving into historical data to aid communities in managing blue-green algae blooms. Mackenzie Hobbs, a Masters student, has been analyzing sediment from lakes in northeastern Ontario to assess the impact of industrialization on blue-green algae levels. Hobbs emphasized the importance of understanding past conditions to gauge the extent of human-induced changes, particularly in nutrient levels like phosphorus, which can fuel the growth of cyanobacteria leading to algae blooms.
High nutrient levels in lakes, particularly phosphorus, create favorable conditions for cyanobacteria proliferation and subsequent algae blooms that can produce harmful toxins, prompting beach closures. Hobbs highlighted the significance of lake sediment as a historical repository, offering insights spanning over 200 years and predating industrial nutrient inputs.
Examining indicators like chironomids, the larval stage of flies residing in sediment, aids researchers in gauging dissolved oxygen levels in lakes. Additionally, Hobbs is studying diatoms, microalgae sensitive to nutrient-rich environments, to infer past phosphorus levels. Professor Liz Favot, overseeing Hobbs’ work, highlighted the potential for identifying lakes with elevated phosphorus levels for targeted intervention by authorities.
Despite some lakes with low nutrient levels experiencing blue-green algae blooms due to climate change-induced warmer waters, management becomes challenging. This revelation underscores the complexity of addressing algae blooms under shifting environmental conditions.
In Espanola, where Apsey Lake serves as the town’s water source, Hobbs’ research holds significance for informing land use policies near the lake. Espanola’s chief administrative officer, Joseph Burke, noted an uptick in blue-green algae blooms since 2015, signaling the need for proactive measures like enhanced land use planning to safeguard the lake’s health and prevent further blooms.
