Researchers from Laurentian University are utilizing historical data to assist communities in managing blue-green algae blooms. Mackenzie Hobbs, a Masters student, has been gathering sediment from lakes in northeastern Ontario to assess the impact of industrialization on blue-green algae levels. Hobbs emphasized the importance of understanding historical nutrient levels, particularly phosphorus, to gauge the deviation from natural lake conditions, which can foster cyanobacteria growth and lead to algae blooms potentially harmful to humans and animals.
High nutrient levels in lakes, such as phosphorus, create an environment conducive to cyanobacteria proliferation, triggering the formation of blue-green algae blooms that may produce toxins. Hobbs highlighted the significance of lake sediment analysis, providing insights spanning over 200 years to pre-industrialization periods when local waterways were free from additional nutrient inputs. By studying indicators like chironomids, larval flies residing in sediment, researchers can assess dissolved oxygen levels in lakes, offering valuable historical context.
Furthermore, Hobbs is examining diatoms, a type of microalgae thriving in nutrient-rich water, to determine past phosphorus concentrations in the lakes. Liz Favot, Hobbs’s supervisor and a Laurentian professor, noted that identifying lakes with elevated phosphorus levels post-industrialization presents an opportunity for cities and towns to take corrective actions. However, Favot’s research revealed that even lakes with low nutrient levels are experiencing blue-green algae blooms due to the impact of climate change, as cyanobacteria flourish in warmer water.
Among the lakes under study is Apsey Lake, a crucial water source for the town of Espanola. Joseph Burke, Espanola’s chief administrative officer, expressed the potential policy implications of Hobbs’s research on land use planning near the lake. Despite experiencing sporadic blue-green algae blooms since 2015, Burke acknowledged a rising trend, emphasizing the need for informed policies to safeguard the lake’s health through measures like enhanced land use planning.
The ongoing research not only sheds light on the historical evolution of nutrient levels in lakes but also underscores the complex interplay between industrialization, climate change, and algae bloom occurrences, guiding communities towards sustainable environmental practices.