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Strategies to Reduce Cyanobacteria in Tainter Lake, Wisconsin

Maryanne Cowart, Nathalia Kohlhase, Katie Wood UW-Eau Claire Environmental Public Health, BSEPH Candidates, ENPH 441 Water and Wastewater PAST SUCCESS AND FUTURE RECOMMENDATIONS

Ongoing issue of increased levels of cyanobacteria in Tainter Lake in Menominee, Wisconsin (Fig. 1)

Exposure routes of cyanobacteria toxins are harmful to human health(7)

Ingestion Inhalation Direct Contact

Increased levels of cyanobacteria threatens the health of the public and organisms of the lake(1)

Phosphorus creates favorable growth conditions for cyanobacteria (Fig. 2)

Phosphorus loads are deposited into Tainter Lake after runoff events(8)

Phosphorus loads have increased due to growth in urban and agricultural sectors(Fig. 2)(2)

Phosphorus loads from external sources(13)

Effects of increased cyanobacteria levels on human health and the environment

Production of toxins toxic to humans and lake organisms(1)

Noxious odors(12) Limited recreational use(11) Severe algal blooms (Fig. 4)

BACKGROUND

Determine the major contributors to phosphorus pollution in Tainter Lake

Investigate past measures taken to reduce phosphorus pollution

Evaluate effectiveness of past measure most effective measures

Create plan with implementation strategy

OBJECTIVES

Review DNR reports of non point sources for phosphorus pollution in Tainter Lake(8)

Review literature published by the EPA discussing measures for decreasing pollution from non point sources(14)

Review previous research and results of studies in Tainter Lake(13)

Consult a professional familiar with the cyanobacteria issue of Tainter Lake

RECOMMENDATIONS Address the main contributing source of phosphorus to Tainter Lake

Agriculture

Need to decrease the phosphorus that is running off of farmer’s fields

Without decreasing phosphorus runoff from farms other measures would be in vain (3)

Create task force to educate the community

Provide educational literature on phosphorus control

Elect a spokesperson to encourage citizens to take action in reduction phosphorus levels

Introduce alternatives to reduce phosphorus footprint

Target areas of soil erosion

Encourage farmers to follow best management practices(4)

Nutrient management Cover crops Buffers Conservation Tillage Managing livestock waster Drainage water management

Foster a sense of community in the watershed

Form connections between citizens, organizations, and jurisdictions

Create a network between farmers and promote communication between farmers and the public

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

REFERENCES1. B.C. Fitzgerald, S.J. Hoger, D.R. Dietrich (2000) Cyanobacterial toxins: removal during drinking water treatment, and human risk assessment: Environmental Health Perspectives.

Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1637783/?page=72. La Liberte P., Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources- Eau Claire district March 2012 Tainter/Menomin Lakes TMDL3. Rathbun, Andy. (November 11, 2012). At UW-Stout, blue-green algae remedy studied. Pioneer press. Retrieved from http://www.twincities.com/ci_21980926/at-uw-stout-

blue-green-algae-remedy-studied4. “The Sources and Solutions: Agriculture.” EPA. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 5 October 2015. Web. 15 November 20155. Holtcamp, W. (2012, March 1). Do Cyanobacteria Contribute to Neurodegenerative Disease? : Environmental Health Perspectives. Retrieved from

http://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/120-a110/6. Karner, D. A., Standridge, J. H., Harrington, G. W., & Barnum, R. P. (2001). Microcystin algal toxin In Source and Finished Drinking Water: Journal American Water Works

Association, 93(8), 72-81.7. Haselkorn, R. (2009). Cyanobacteria. Current Biology, 19(7), R277-R278 8. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (2015). Blue Green Algae. Retrieved from http://dnr.wi.gov/lakes/bluegreenalgae/Default.aspx 9. Chorus, I. (1999). Toxic cyanobacteria in water: A guide to their public health consequences, monitoring, and management. London: E & FN Spon.10. Anderson L., James W.F., University of Wisconsin – Stout 2015 Advection and Nutrients regulate phytoplankton dynamics in Tainter Lake, WI11. Ridington, E., & Kohler, D. (2011, April 11). Wisconsin's Lakes at Risk: Frontier Group. http://

www.wisconsinenvironment.org/reports/wie/wisconsins-lakes-risk-growing-threat-pollution-agriculture-and-development12. Cyanobacteria and Algae Blooms. (2015, October 7). Retrieved December 5, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/hab/13. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. (2015). Phosphorus Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs)Tainter Lake and Lake Menomin Dunn County, Wisconsin. http://

dnr.wi.gov/water/wsSWIMSDocument.ashx?documentSeqNo=73903997 14. United States Environmental Protection Agency. Impaired Water Decision Document. http://ofmpub.epa.gov/waters10/attains_impaired_waters.show_tmdl_document?

p_tmdl_doc_blobs_id=73822

METHODS

Effects of increased cyanobacterial levels on public and water health(9)(12)

Human health risks: Vomiting, Diarrhea, burning or tingling of skin, sore throat and respiratory

paralysis leading to death Linked to GI illness, liver disease, neurological effects and possible cancers

Environmental risks: Odor and taste problems with drinking water Hypoxia leading to increase mortality of fish, plants, and invertebrate

populations Decreased light penetration affecting benthic flora and fauna

Nonpoint Sources (Fig. 3)(2)

Main contributor to phosphorus pollution Residential use of fertilizer Vegetation decomposition Agricultural is the greatest non point source

Excessive use of fertilizer Manure and fertilizer runoff

Previous measures failed to resolve the cyanobacteria issue of Tainter Lake(13)

Failure due to lack of community involvement Did not address the major non point source Use of chemical drums to decrease cyanobacteria in Lake Menomin was

unsuccessful and did not produce promising results(3)

Fig. 2: Resident reacting to noxious odors resulting from algal blooms in Tainter Lake

Fig. 1 Google map of Tainter Lake in Menominee, WI Fig. 4: Aerial View of algal bloom

FINDINGS

Fig. 3: Phosphorus loads of sources that empty into Tainter Lake

This research was accomplished with the assistance of •Nels Paulson, PhD, Director, LAKES REU

Associate Professor of Sociology University of Wisconsin-Stout

• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Office of Research and Sponsored ProgramsSpecial thanks to

• Printing services provided by LTS of UW-Eau Claire