These reprints are articles published in professional and academic journals written as a result of Sea Grant sponsored projects.
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A Case Series of Potential Pediatric Cyanotoxin Exposures Associated with Harmful Algal Blooms in Northwest OhioOHSU-RS-1606 ABSTRACT:Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) are increasing in prevalence and severity globally and locally in the Great Lakes region. CyanoHABs have the potential to produce serious adverse human health effects due to the production of cyanotoxins from cyanobacteria. Common routes of exposure include recreational exposure (swimming, skiing, and boating), ingestion, and aerosolization of contaminated water sources. Cyanotoxins have been shown to adversely affect several major organ systems contributing to hepatotoxicity, gastrointestinal distress, and pulmonary inflammation. We present three pediatric case-reports that coincided with CyanoHABs exposure with a focus on presentation of illness, diagnostic work-up, and treatment of CyanoHAB-related illnesses. Potential cyanotoxin exposure occurred while swimming in the Maumee River and Maumee State Park in Northwest OH during the Summer months which coincide with peak CyanoHAB activity. Primary symptoms included generalized macular rash, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and severe respiratory distress. Significant labs included leukocytosis and elevated C-reactive protein. All patients ultimately recovered with supportive care. Symptoms following potential cyanotoxin exposure coincide with multiple disease states representing an urgent need to develop specific diagnostic tests of exposure. DOI: https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202310.0323.v1 LENGTH: 8 pages |
Forecasting microcystin concentrations in Lake Erie using an Eulerian tracer modelOHSU-RS-1610 ABSTRACT:Cyanobacteria biomass models are routinely used in Lake Erie to predict the occurrence and location of algal blooms. However, current forecasts do not predict the microcystin toxins produced by these blooms. In this study, we used an extensive dataset of microcystin concentrations to generate weekly distribution maps in Lake Erie for the summers of 2018 and 2019. Using a 3D Eulerian tracer model (ETM) initialized with these maps, we simulated microcystin transport over 7 days, under two conditions: (1) the initial microcystin is mixed within the surface-mixed layer; (2) the initial microcystin is distributed throughout the entire water column. Two scenarios were tested for each condition: one incorporating microcystin production rates into hydrodynamic transport and one excluding them. Model performance was evaluated against weekly sample data in predicting whether microcystin concentrations surpassed specific thresholds (0.3, 1.0, 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 µg/L), and in predicting trend directionality over each week. Overall, the ETM with hydrodynamics alone captured the transport of microcystins and predicted microcystin concentrations in 69% of the simulations. Incorporating microcystin production into the model increased the accuracy of forecasts by an additional 10%. Moreover, models with microcystin production successfully predicted microcystin concentrations greater than 5 μg/L during a large bloom, high-microcystin year (2019), while incorrectly forecasting concentrations above 5 μg/L during a small bloom year (2018). With limited data to initialize the ETM, no single model configuration consistently outperformed others. It is necessary to consider the full range of model configurations when utilizing their outputs for making management decisions. |
Microcystin congeners in Lake Erie follow the seasonal pattern of nitrogen availabilityOHSU-RS-1609 ABSTRACT:Cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms produce many toxic secondary metabolites called cyanotoxins. The most studied group of cyanotoxins are microcystins (MC), with over 300 congeners reported. MC-LR is the most studied congener because of its abundance and toxicity. Recent toxicology studies suggest that more hydrophobic MC congeners such as MC-LA, MC-LF, and MC-LW may be less abundant but up to seven times more toxic than MC-LR, whereas, MC-RR’s toxicity is only one-fifth that of MC-LR. Hence, understanding the environmental stressors that change the MC congener profile is critical to assessing the negative impact on environmental and human health. A two-year field and experimental study investigated seasonal and spatial changes of MC congener profiles in the western basin of Lake Erie. Both studies showed that nitrogen enrichment favored the production of nitrogen-rich MC-RR (C49H75N13O12). The field study showed that nitrogen depletion favored the low-nitrogen MC-LA (C46H67N7O12). MC-LR (a medium N level, C49H75N10O12) accounted for ∼30% to 50% of the total MC concentration and was stable across nitrogen concentrations. Using the relative toxicity and concentrations of each MC congener, both LC-MS/MS and ELISA overestimated the toxicity early bloom (July) and underestimated it late bloom (September). On 24 July 2019, highly toxic MC-LW and MC-LF were detected at nearshore stations with relative toxicity exceeding drinking water standards. This study demonstrated that the less toxic, high nitrogen MC-RR dominated under nitrogen-replete conditions in the early season, whereas the more toxic, less nitrogen MC-LA dominated under nitrogen-limited conditions later in the season. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2023.102466 VOLUME: 127 |
Agricultural conservation practices could help offset climate change impacts on cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms in Lake ErieOHSU-RS-1608 ABSTRACT:Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a recurring problem in many temperate large lake and coastal marine ecosystems, caused mainly by anthropogenic eutrophication. Implementation of agricultural conservation practices (ACPs) offers a means to reduce non-point source nutrient runoff and mitigate HABs. However, the effectiveness of ACPs in a changing climate remains uncertain. We used an integrated biophysical modeling approach to predict how Lake Erie cyanobacterial HAB severity (bloom biomass) may change under several climate and ACP implementation scenarios, using western Lake Erie and its largely agricultural watershed as our study system. An ensemble of general circulation model projections was used to drive spatially explicit land use and hydrology models of the Maumee River watershed, the output of which informed a predictive model of Lake Erie HAB severity. Results show that, in the absence of changes in ACPs, the frequency of severe HABs is projected to increase during coming decades, owing to increased inputs of nutrients from the watershed. These anticipated increases are due to increased total precipitation and more frequent higher-magnitude rainfall events. While further implementation of ACPs appears capable of reducing severe HAB events, widespread implementation would be necessary to reduce HAB severity below current management targets. This study highlights how continued climate change will only exacerbate the need for land management practices that can reduce nutrient runoff in agriculturally dominated ecosystems, such as Lake Erie. It also shows how interdisciplinary, biophysical modeling approaches can help identify strategies to mitigate HABs in the face of anthropogenic stressors. |
Measuring beachgoer preferences for avoiding harmful algal blooms and bacterial warningsOHSU-RS-1607 ABSTRACT:This paper estimates beachgoers’ preferences for beach quality, including avoidance of harmful algal blooms and bacterial warnings. Following a stratified random sampling schedule, data was collected via interviews conducted at 28 public beaches from Eastern Ohio to Northern Lake St Clair. Randomly selected visitors were interviewed and sent a follow-up choice experiment survey, which measured preferences for beach attributes. We find the average respondent is willing to drive 260 and 266 miles to avoid sites with either current HAB or bacterial warnings, and find a negative stigma effect that remains at least 6 days post-warning. While respondents’ aversion to active HAB and bacterial warnings are not statistically different, this aversion decreases more slowly after a bacterial warning; respondents are willing to drive 77 miles to avoid a site with a bacterial warning lifted 6 days earlier, but only 31 miles to avoid a site with a HAB warning lifted 6 days earlier. To test our findings’ validity, we used the choice model estimates to simulate responses to contingent behavior questions from the follow-up. Although framed differently, the elicitation formats yield concordant findings. Results indicate that cost-benefit analysis which doesn’t evaluate the stigma effect of recently-lifted warnings may understate their costs. |
Farmers Markets and Single-Use Plastic: Why Environmentally Conscious Consumers Don’t Bring Reusable BagsOHSU-RS-1605 ABSTRACT:This study looks at the role of Extension in helping local officials reduce plastic bag use at farmers markets in three Lake County, OH communities. We distributed free reusable bags to shoppers and conducted an education and outreach program. We then took observations to determine if the free reusable bags were being used. We also invited shoppers to take a voluntary survey about their environmental attitudes, why or why not they use the reusable bags, and how best to reduce plastic bag use moving forward. Results from the study suggest that supplying free reusable bags at farmer markets is not an effective strategy for Extension professionals attempting to reduce plastic bag use. Instead, we recommend working with local officials to develop financial incentives and disincentives tied to the type of bag option shoppers use, implement plastic bag bans at markets, and conduct locally-focused education and outreach. Although shoppers’ environmental literacy and desire for sustainability is high, it is shown that behavior change is unlikely to occur without financial or policy incentives. |
Size Matters: Individual Variation in Ectotherm Growth and Asymptotic SizeOHSU-RS-1524 ABSTRACT:Body size, and, by extension, growth has impacts on physiology, survival, attainment of sexual maturity, fecundity, generation time, and population dynamics, especially in ectotherm animals that often exhibit extensive growth following attainment of sexual maturity. Frequently, growth is analyzed at the population level, providing useful population mean growth parameters but ignoring individual variation that is also of ecological and evolutionary significance. Our long-term study of Lake Erie Watersnakes, Nerodia sipedon insularum, provides data sufficient for a detailed analysis of population and individual growth. We describe population mean growth separately for males and females based on size of known age individuals (847 captures of 769 males, 748 captures of 684 females) and annual growth increments of individuals of unknown age (1,152 males, 730 females). We characterize individual variation in asymptotic size based on repeated measurements of 69 males and 71 females that were each captured in five to nine different years. The most striking result of our analyses is that asymptotic size varies dramatically among individuals, ranging from 631–820 mm snout-vent length in males and from 835–1125 mm in females. Because female fecundity increases with increasing body size, we explore the impact of individual variation in asymptotic size on lifetime reproductive success using a range of realistic estimates of annual survival. When all females commence reproduction at the same age, lifetime reproductive success is greatest for females with greater asymptotic size regardless of annual survival. But when reproduction is delayed in females with greater asymptotic size, lifetime reproductive success is greatest for females with lower asymptotic size when annual survival is low. Possible causes of individual variation in asymptotic size, including individual- and cohort-specific variation in size at birth and early growth, warrant further investigation. |
Short Winters Threaten Temperate Fish PopulationsOHSU-RS-1519 ABSTRACT:Although climate warming is expected to benefit temperate ectotherms by lengthening the summer growing season, declines in reproductive success following short, warm winters may counter such positive effects. Here we present long-term (1973–2010) field patterns for Lake Erie yellow perch,Perca flavescens, which show that failed annual recruitment events followed short, warm winters. Subsequent laboratory experimentation and field investigations revealed how reduced reproductive success following short, warm winters underlie these observed field patterns. Following short winters, females spawn at warmer temperatures and produce smaller eggs that both hatch at lower rates and produce smaller larvae than females exposed to long winters. Our research suggests that continued climate warming can lead to unanticipated, negative effects on temperate fish populations. |
Feeding Ecology of the Invasive Round Goby, Neogobius melanostomus (Pallas, 1814), Based on Laboratory Size Preference and Field Diet in Different Habitats in the Western Basin of Lake ErieOHSU-RS-1523 ABSTRACT:The round goby, Neogobius melanostomus, is an invasive benthic fish species in the Laurentian Great Lakes that is threatening native fish populations through competition, predation, and trophic dynamic change. This study examined the trophic dynamic plasticity of round goby along a depth gradient based on laboratory and field observations to determine prey species consumed and mussel prey size selection. Prey size selection in the laboratory was assessed by presenting individual round goby with quagga mussels (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) of various class sizes (i.e., 6.0–9.9 mm, 10.0–12.9 mm, 13.0–15.9 mm, and 16.0–18.9 mm in length). Round goby exhibited a selection preference for small sized quagga mussels, although in individual trial events, mussels were consumed from all four size classes. Prey species consumed from shallow and deep sites in the western basin of Lake Erie were assessed using individual gut contents to calculate measures of prey importance, diversity, and dominance. Based on the Index of Relative Importance (IRI), Cladocera was found to be the most consumed prey item for both males and females and between study sites. Both sexes consumed a variety of prey items although females exhibited greater prey dominance or reliance on one prey item. Round goby individuals at the shallow, natural shoreline site had the highest trophic diversity, while individuals at the deep site exhibited the highest prey dominance. Diet of round goby in the western basin of Lake Erie are mainly dominated by just a few prey items. |
Interactive Effects of Temperature, Nitrogen, and Zooplankton on Growth and Protein and Carbohydrate Content of Cyanobacteria from Western Lake ErieOHSU-RS-1517 ABSTRACT:Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in freshwater ecosystems, especially of cyanobacterial species, are becoming more frequent and expanding geographically, including in Lake Erie in North America. HABs are the result of complex and synergistic environmental factors, though N or P eutrophication is a leading cause. With global mean temperatures expected to increase an additional 2˚C – 5˚C by 2100, cyanobacterial blooms are predicted to increase even more, given their typically-high temperature optimum for growth. We investigated how increases in temperature and nitrogen, singly or in combination, affect the growth, food quality, and herbivory of Lake Erie cyanobacteria. Algal community samples collected from Lake Erie, and isolated non-N-fixing (Microcystis aeruginosa) and N-fixing (Anabaena flos-aquae) cyanobacterial species, were cultured at 20˚C, 25˚C, or 30˚C, and at 5, 50, 150, or 250 μM N, and then analyzed for growth and (for isolates) content of total protein and non-structural carbohydrates (NSC). Temperature and N both affected algal growth, and there were temperature × N interactions, which were sometimes affected by presence/absence of zooplankton. For example, cyanobacteria (but not green algae) growth increased with both temperature and N, especially from 25˚C to 30˚C, but N and herbivore presence increased cyanobacterial growth primarily only at 30˚C. In general, temperature and N had little consistent effect on NSC, but increasing temperature and N tended to increase protein content in Microcystis and Anabaena (temperature effects mostly at higher N levels). In Anabaena, increases in N did not increase growth or protein at 20˚C or 25˚C, but did increase both at 30˚C, indicating that N fixation. DOI: 10.4236/jwarp.2014.612106 VOLUME: 6 |
Intra-andinter-seasonalvariabilityofnutrientsinatropical monsoonal estuary(Zuari,India)OHSU-RS-1512A study was conducted to understand the intra- and inter-seasonal variability of dissolved oxygen and nutrients in a tropical monsoon estuary (Zuari in Goa, India). We adopted a dual sampling approach with (a) daily or alternate day sampling at a fixed location in the mid-estuarine zone and (b) longitudinal transect sampling from freshwater end to mouth during spring and neap tides of each month for about a year. Multivariate statistical analyses of oxygen and nutrients were carried out to evaluate the hypotheses: (i) biogeochemical processes chiefly regulate their variability and (ii) anthropogenic inputs lead to material accumulation in the estuary. Multivariate statistical analyses helped identify the controlling factors of the oxygen and nutrient variability. Our results significantly revealed (i) physical forcings (freshwater discharge and tidal circulation, these also facilitate sedimentary releases) are more important than biogeochemical processes in determining oxygen and nutrient variability in the water column and (ii) the monsoon driven regular annual flushing makes the system resilient to human interference as the Zuari estuary returns to normalcy by postmonsoon every year. Our study identified the significance of subsurface discharges in transporting mining effluents from the river basin. Results also suggest that extrapolation of controlling factors of biogeochemical variables at a fixed location to the entire estuary is untenable since the relative dominance of forcings vary in time and space in the estuary. ABSTRACT:A study was conducted to understand the intra- and inter-seasonal variability of dissolved oxygen and nutrients in a tropical monsoon estuary (Zuari in Goa, India). We adopted a dual sampling approach with (a) daily or alternate day sampling at a fixed location in the mid-estuarine zone and (b) longitudinal transect sampling from freshwater end to mouth during spring and neap tides of each month for about a year. Multivariate statistical analyses of oxygen and nutrients were carried out to evaluate the hypotheses: (i) biogeochemical processes chiefly regulate their variability and (ii) anthropogenic inputs lead to material accumulation in the estuary. Multivariate statistical analyses helped identify the controlling factors of the oxygen and nutrient variability. Our results significantly revealed (i) physical forcings (freshwater discharge and tidal circulation, these also facilitate sedimentary releases) are more important than biogeochemical processes in determining oxygen and nutrient variability in the water column and (ii) the monsoon driven regular annual flushing makes the system resilient to human interference as the Zuari estuary returns to normalcy by postmonsoon every year. Our study identified the significance of subsurface discharges in transporting mining effluents from the river basin. Results also suggest that extrapolation of controlling factors of biogeochemical variables at a fixed location to the entire estuary is untenable since the relative dominance of forcings vary in time and space in the estuary. DOI: 10.1016/j.csr.2014.04.005 VOLUME: 82 |
A population genetic window into the past and future of the walleye Sander vitreus: relation to historic walleye and the extinct “blue pike” S. v. “glaucus”OHSU-RS-1511 ABSTRACT:Conserving genetic diversity and local adaptations are management priorities for wild populations of exploited species, which increasingly are subject to climate change, habitat loss, and pollution. These constitute growing concerns for the walleye Sander vitreus, an ecologically and economically valuable North American temperate fish with large Laurentian Great Lakes’ fisheries. This study compares genetic diversity and divergence patterns across its widespread native range using mitochondrial (mt) DNA control region sequences and nine nuclear DNA microsatellite (μsat) loci, examining historic and contemporary influences. We analyze the genetic and morphological characters of a putative endemic variant– “blue pike” S. v. “glaucus” –described from Lakes Erie and Ontario, which became extinct. Walleye with turquoise-colored mucus also are evaluated, since some have questioned whether these are related to the “blue pike”. |
Application of empirical and semi-analytical algorithms to MERIS data for estimating chlorophyll a in Case 2 waters of Lake ErieOHSU-RS-509LENGTH: 12 pages |
Sonochemical degradation of cipro?oxacin and ibuprofen in the presence of matrix organic compoundsOHSU-RS-496LENGTH: 8 pages |
Physiological stress response of yellow perch subjected to repeated handlings and salt treatments at different temperaturesOHSU-RS-505LENGTH: 6 pages |
Nitrogen constrains the growth of late summer cyanobacterial blooms in Lake ErieOHSU-RS-508LENGTH: 11 pages |
Nutrient inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by source and watershed estimated using SPARROW watershed Models' by Dale M. Robertson and David A. Saad 'Nutrient Inputs to the Laurentian Great Lakes by source and watershedOHSU-RS-495LENGTH: 10 pages |
Development of a vector-based method for coastal bluffline mapping using LiDAR data and a comparison study in the area of Lake ErieOHSU-RS-506LENGTH: 18 pages |
A Novel method for tracking western Lake Erie Microcystis blooms, 2002-2011OHSU-RS-491LENGTH: 6 pages |
A new Start-PCR approach to detect and quantify fish Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv): Enhanced quality control with internal standardsOHSU-RS-483LENGTH: 14 pages |
Multivariate approach to estimate color producing agents in Case 2 waters using-first-derivative spectrophotometer dataOHSU-RS-482LENGTH: 26 pages |
Diversity and distribution of free-living and particle-associated bacterioplankton in Sandusky Bay and adjacent waters of Lake Erie Western BasinOHSU-RS-492LENGTH: 6 pages |
Using pulsed wave ultrasound to evaluate the suitability of hydroxyl radical scavengers in sonochemical systemsOHSU-RS-497LENGTH: 7 pages |
Factors influencing pharmaceutical and personal care product degradation in aqueous solution using pulsed wave ultrasoundOHSU-RS-503LENGTH: 8 pages |
Accurate detection and quantification of the fish Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virus (VHSv) with a two-color fluorometric real-time PCR assayOHSU-RS-504LENGTH: 12 pages |
Evaluating multiple color-producing agents in Case II waters from Lake ErieOHSU-RS-502LENGTH: 27 pages |
Genetic and morphometric differences demonstrate fine-scale population substructure of the yellow perch Perca flavescens: need for redefined management unitsOHSU-RS-499LENGTH: 16 pages |
Effects of shear on initial bacterial attachment in slow flowing systemsOHSU-RS-500LENGTH: 8 pages |
Ohio’s 2010 Lake Erie charter fishing industryOHSU-RS-469LENGTH: 10 pages |
Role of suspended sediments and mixing in reducing photoinhibition in the bloom-forming Cyanobacterium MicrocystisOHSU-RS-479LENGTH: 13 pages |
Within-stream release-site fidelity of steelhead trout from Lake Erie hatchery stocksOHSU-RS-507LENGTH: 9 pages |
Evolution and biogeography of an emerging quasispecies: Diversity patterns of the fish Viral Hemorrhagic Septicemia virusOHSU-RS-461LENGTH: 15 pages |
A Case for amenity-driven growth? Estimating heterogeneous household demands for lake amenities and industrial disamenities in the Great Lakes regionOHSU-RS-485LENGTH: 24 pages Download (258.20 KB) Full Detail Page |
Plasticity of total and intracellular phosphorus quotas in Microcystis aeruginosa cultures and Lake Erie algal assemblagesOHSU-RS-457LENGTH: 9 pages |
Effect of rhamnolipids on initial attachment of bacteria on glass and octadecyltrichlorosilane-modified glassOHSU-RS-473LENGTH: 8 pages |
Evaluation of one-stage and two-stage selection in yellow perch I: Genetic and phenotypic parameters for growth traits of F1fish reared in ponds using microsatellite parentage assignmentOHSU-RS-484LENGTH: 10 pages |
Seasonal Si:C ratios in Lake Erie diatoms - Evidence of an active winter diatom communityOHSU-RS-489LENGTH: 6 pages |
Great Lakes climate change curriculumOHSU-RS-487LENGTH: 13 pages Download (1.59 MB) Full Detail Page |
Evaluation of the natural product antifoulant, zosteric acid, for preventing the attachment of quagga mussels: a preliminary studyOHSU-RS-450LENGTH: 4 pages |
Temporal and spatial genetic consistency of walleye spawning groupsOHSU-RS-470LENGTH: 13 pages |
ADMESH: An advanced, automatic unstructured mesh generator for shallow water modelsOHSU-RS-471LENGTH: 15 pages |
A Systematic approach detection of seagrass patches from hyperspectral imageryOHSU-RS-474LENGTH: 16 pages |
Database of research in marine and aquatic educationOHSU-RS-488LENGTH: 4 pages |
A Case for amenity-driven growth? Impacts of lake amenities on population, employment and housing markets in the Great Lakes regionOHSU-RS-486LENGTH: 20 pages Download (784.65 KB) Full Detail Page |
Prediction and experimental evaluation of soil sorption by natural hormones and hormone mimicsOHSU-RS-454LENGTH: 8 pages |
Aggregation and dissolution of silver nanoparticles in natural surface waterOHSU-RS-468LENGTH: 9 pages |
Waterscape genetics of the yellow perch (Perca flavescens): patterns across large connected ecosystems and isolated relict populationsOHSU-RS-472LENGTH: 32 pages |
A Sigma coordinate, discontinues galerkin method for the three dimensional shallow water equationsOHSU-RS-532LENGTH: 1 page |
Aggregation kinetics and dissolution of coated silver nanoparticlesOHSU-RS-466LENGTH: 10 pages |
Family tank interactions on early growth performance of yellow perch reared in single-family tanks versus mixed-family tanks as inferred using microsatellite pedigreesOHSU-RS-437LENGTH: 9 pages |