The Community Environmental Health Laboratory is a public outreach program of the MDI Water Quality Coalition and the NIEHS Toxicology Center at the MDI Biological Laboratory.
August 1, 2005
Hurricanes and Their Red Tide Relationships
It was in 1972 that a violent, slow moving hurricane named Carrie crossed the Gulf of Maine. Just before Carrie swept across the North Atlantic there was a massive toxic algal bloom in the Bay of Fundy. The tropical system carried cysts of the dinoflagellate Alexandrium into Gulf of Maine estuaries. The cells were then pulled by currents into Maine, New Hampshire and Massachusetts waters. The hurricane may also have contributed to eutrophication, resulting in waters rich in organic nutrients that promote a proliferation of photosynthetic organisms such as algae. The transporting of the toxic dinoflagellates combined with the weather-related eutrophication effects inevitably led to the red tide along the coast of northern New England from that year on.
Alexandrium, the predominant type of red tide algae found in the Gulf of Maine, has expanded its range rapidly this year due to extreme weather-related eutrophication, just as it did for the first time in 1972 when similar conditions were present. This year however, the effects were brought on by a wetter than average spring that coincided with two nor'easter storm systems in May, and not from a hurricane.
Alexandrium cells lie dormant in the winter season as cysts on the coastal ocean floor. When conditions favorable for their growth are present, they reproduce at an alarming rate. One cell divides into two every three or four days. They are spherical shaped with whip-like tails that they use to propel themselves through the water.
It is not necessarily that hurricanes and other factors have suddenly induced the rise in toxic algal blooms globally. Recorded instances of red tide have been traced back to the times of the ancient Egyptians. It may simply be that the technologies we possess today, including satellites and radar systems, coupled with a much larger world population filled with trained observers enables us to better understand and therefore precisely identify the beds of toxic phytoplankton across the planet.
Hurricanes do, however, greatly contribute to toxic phytoplankton supplementation and distribution. Other circumstances, like input of pollution to coastal waters, can cause a similar effect. The scale and boundaries of the problem are only now beginning to be understood. The extent of the problem seems to only expand with this new understanding. As we study the linkages between dinoflagellate reproduction and the global changes that are conducive of it, sustainability becomes apparent. We must all understand our role in preventing these toxic phytoplankton from expanding further due to human impacts. We are however unfortunately guaranteed to experience the unforgiving adverse effects of episodes of red tide events on coastlines across the planet from now on. --Joshua Jones
Sources:
National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms, www.whoi.edu/redtide/HABdistribution/HABmap.html, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, July 1, 2005.
Provincetown Center for Coastal Studies, www.coastalstudies.org/whats-new/6-20-2005.htm, June 20, 2005.
The Patriot Ledger, www.vsv.cape.com/~harharb/news/junejuly2005.html, June 02, 2005.
CEHL Mobilized to Track Down Bacteria Source in Northeast Creek
On Thursday, July 14th, interns and staff of the Community Environmental Health Lab began a hunt for a pollution source at Thomas Bay. This bay, located on the north side of Mount Desert Island, is one of the few local areas which remain open to clamming. As a result of high bacteria levels found by the Department of Marine Resources, clam flats at Thomas Bay face imminent closure. In an attempt to locate a pollution source, interns at the Community Environmental Health Lab have placed optical brightener cages in Northeast Creek, a water source that drains into the bay. Optical brighteners are dyes found in many laundry detergents that enhance the colors of clothing. If optical brighteners are found in the creek, it may imply a septic tank leak or malfunction.
Racing against the clock, interns and staff of CEHL hope to locate a source of pollution within the next seven days. If the problem is found and mitigated in a short amount of time, there is a possibility that the clam flats at Thomas Bay will remain open. --Jonathan Hollenbeck
Teacher Intern of the Week - Amy Palmer
When I signed up to be a teacher intern at the MDI Water Quality Coalition, I did not realize how much hands-on learning I was in for. I found myself knee-deep in Stanley Brook sampling for bacteria while admiring the juvenile fish that took up residence there. I also got plenty of practice perfecting my plankton towing technique in order to bring samples back to the lab to monitor for toxic species that cause red tides and paralytic shellfish poisoning. In the lab I learned how to test the water for dissolved oxygen and chlorine levels. I spent part of another day walking from home to home surveying and interviewing people about their sewer and drainage systems. I will never look at a rain gutter in the same way again! I laid on my belly looking through an "AquaScope" to measure the clarity of the water. I learned how to use an incubator and ultraviolet light to test for the presence of harmful bacteria.
When I look back at all the skills I acquired this week, I realize that this is exactly what I want my students to be doing. I want them to learn these skills and apply them to real life problems. I want them to work together, using their varied talents, just like the staff and interns of the MDIWQC. And I want them to realize- just like I did this week- that an enthusiastic, committed group of people can, indeed, change the world. -- Amy Palmer, Middle School science teacher, Vinalhaven School
July 5, 2005
Stanley Brook Watershed Survey Underway
As a result of citizen concerns, the MDI Water Quality Coalition has partnered with local schools and several state agencies to conduct a survey of the Stanley brook watershed. There has been concern over the pollution in the area for some time and after years of monitoring; a final report is expected by 2006, which will include the watershed survey.
Testing of the bacterial levels in the Stanley Brook watershed began in 1993. Since then, there has been a gradual increase in the number of detectable colonies of Enterococcus bacteria that come from the gut of warm-blooded animals. There is need for concern and public notification when more than 100 colonies can be seen after water sample analysis.
A watershed survey is a process in which the extent of pollution within a watershed is determined by identifying existing, non-point sources of pollution and inspecting other point sources. Non-point sources of pollution are regarded as runoff and seepage from diffuse sources, mainly from human activity. It is usually generated by storm water runoff.
There is a great emphasis on the participation of residents, local teachers and students, and the entire community to become involved in the survey along with other related research being done here at CEHL. This summer, four teacher interns are participating in the watershed survey to better understand how environmental research can benefit communities. They will apply what they have learned when educating their students and this in turn will ensure a future of proper watershed maintenance and sustainability.
The interns at CEHL primarily look for high levels of Enterococcus, but there are also other types of pollution that can be present. Interns are also looking for evidence of nutrient or sediment input into Stanley Brook.
There are many observations made during a typical visit to a property. Signs of polluting sources might include things such as large areas of pavement, or limited vegetative buffers. Many people do not realize the extent to which they are contributing to the pollution of the watershed and are usually cooperative in constructively correcting any problems.
From the information gathered in the watershed survey by volunteers and surveyors, the MDI Water Quality Coalition will generate a final report that identifies specific problem areas that contribute to the poor water quality in Stanley Brook, and make recommendations on ways to solve these problems. The information is not being gathered for enforcement purposes. -- Joshua Jones
Teacher Intern of the Week
In September 2004, I began phytoplankton monitoring in Southwest Harbor with my 7th grade students. I applied to be one of the teacher interns with the MDI Water Quality Coalition at the Community Environmental Health Laboratory to increase my knowledge of phytoplankton monitoring and water quality testing so that I could better incorporate this project in my Life Science curriculum. The experiences I have had with CEHL this week have more than met my goals. It has provided an opportunity for me to learn valuable water quality testing skills and techniques in the field and in the laboratory. I have worked with interns who have guided me through these processes and also encouraged me to be involved in data analysis as well as the entering of data into the CEHL database (not quite in my comfort zone yet).
CEHL staff, student interns, and I collected many water samples from various sites on Mount Desert Island. The sites labeled as swim beaches were tested for the bacteria, Enterococcus (an indicator of swimming illness). At one of the sites, the beach had already been posted "closed to swimming" earlier that day due to high bacterial count by the Town of Mount Desert. The citizens of Mount Desert have asked for assistance from the MDI Water Quality Coalition to help them determine the sources of pollution within the Stanley Brook Watershed. We performed our tests at the swim beach and then traveled upstream Stanley Brook to set up optical brightener cages at specific sites. These traps determine if laundry detergents are found in the stream, which indicates septic or sewer contamination. This project is ongoing and hopefully through this testing and a watershed survey, the people of Mount Desert will be provided with some answers and possible suggestions on how to achieve and maintain a healthy watershed. I learned a great deal as I observed and took part in this valuable project and realize that this project may someday be a model for other towns and states to follow.
We also monitored phytoplankton in Bar Harbor and Southwest Harbor. I now feel confident that I can identify many different species of phytoplankton, including Alexandrium (the culprit that causes red tide). Next year, I plan to take my students to the harbor at least once per month to monitor phytoplankton and test for dissolved oxygen, transparency, and salinity.
Throughout our testing this week, we were encouraged to write and reflect in our journals. One change I plan to make in my classroom next year is to encourage my students to take time to reflect in their science journals on what they are doing and what they have found. Through this reflection, I hope that they will become proficient at comparing, explaining, making connections, and supporting explanations with observations. Reflection is key to growth and I hope that my students and I will continue to grow as we gain more knowledge about water quality on MDI.
I have learned many things this week and look forward to sharing my experiences with my students. I feel that it is important to involve students in work that has relevance to the greater community. This internship allowed me (the teacher/student) to be involved in projects that have real-life implications. I am looking forward to working with the MDI Water Quality Coalition to further integrate water quality/environmental stewardship projects into my classroom.
-- Bonnie Burne
High Bacteria Levels Close Seal Harbor Beach
This past Wednesday, the 29th of June, Seal Harbor Beach was closed by the town of Mount Desert as a result of high Enterococcus test results. The town is currently involved in the process of monitoring Enterococcus levels on Seal Harbor Beach every Tuesday and Thursday. Interns from the Community Environmental Health Laboratory (CEHL) monitor on Wednesdays. Although the beach was clearly marked as closed, several people paid little attention to the sign. As a result, CEHL summer interns plan to conduct a beach user survey at this location. This survey will allow information to be gathered dealing with the public's knowledge of closures and the health risks of entering unclean waters. With this information, decisions can be made on how to best inform the public about closures as well as swimming illness and its causes. -- Jonathan Hollenbeck
