Why Should You Care About Blue-Green Algae?
Written by: Brianna Belanger, Nicholas Dumontier, Iryna Kyrychenko, Bailey Vandorp
Blue-green algae (BGA), also known as cyanobacteria, form large colonies called blooms on the surface of warm and shallow ponds, rivers, lakes, and streams (1). They can produce toxins that are harmful and potentially lethal to animals and humans when ingested, absorbed through the skin, or inhaled (1). BGA blooms are an expanding public health threat in Northwestern Ontario, as in 2021 they were reported more frequently and earlier in the year than previously (2,3).
Being able to correctly identify blue-green algae is important. BGA blooms commonly look like green pea soup or turquoise paint (4). Blooms may produce solid clumps that smell like cut grass or rotting garbage (4).
Many factors influence bloom development, including levels of phosphorus nutrients in the water that can come from septic tank leaching, agriculture runoff, and fertilizer use (1). Additional physical causes, such as increasing water temperature and altered weather patterns resulting from climate change are leading factors affecting BGA growth (1).
The most common symptoms of acute BGA exposure are rashes, hives, nasal congestion, nausea, and diarrhea, but respiratory and neurological symptoms have also been reported (5). The effects of long-term exposures are less clear but could be linked to liver, colon, kidney, and brain damage (5,6,7). Individuals that live, work, or play close to frequent BGA blooms are at greater risk of exposure and negative health effects of BGA toxins.
Image sourced from CBC News Thunder Bay
Why We Care
As Lakehead University Master of Public Health Students, we stand behind the Public Health Agency of Canada and its mission of promoting and protecting the health of Canadians through leadership, partnership, innovation, and action in public health (8). Living in Thunder Bay, we are committed to advocating for the Thunder Bay population and promoting awareness of health issues in the area. BGA water contamination is a toxic non-genetic environmental factor that targets vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, contributes to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), and is also a potential carcinogen to humans (6, 7, 9).
With the presence of BGA increasing in Thunder Bay in the last four years, lake accessibility for work and leisure could be affected (10,11). Additionally, residents not living near bodies of water can still experience toxic effects from BGA through airborne and inground seeping exposure (12). The extent of these effects requires further research (11,12).
Additionally, it is essential to be aware that boiling contaminated water will not destroy any toxins but rather increase the concentration and potential risks (4,15).
Is Blue-Green Algae All Bad?
BGA has been shown to be beneficial in multiple industries (13,14). Most notably, it is used in the food and nutritional sectors (13). BGA is a nitrogen sequester that can be beneficial as a biofertilizer replacement to other commercial fertilizers (14). This potential replacement fertilizer is less expensive than standard fertilizers and provides a reduced cost to the farmer and the consumer (14).
Research also shows the effectiveness of BGA as a dietary/medicinal supplement; with benefits being seen in cardiovascular disease as evidence shows anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering effects (15). It is important to note that these benefits were derived from the commercial production of BGA or cyanobacteria, which mitigates the risk of toxins typically found in recreational settings.
What Can You Do?
The increasing expansion of blue-green algae (BGA) can be attributed to agricultural runoff, septic tank leakage and climate change. In order to prevent further growth and reduce environmental contamination of blue-green algae in our community, regular maintenance and monitoring of agricultural drainage and septic systems should be done (17). It is also essential to have a fertilizer management strategy and have your agricultural operations meet legal requirements to lessen BGA growth (17).
Residents of Thunder Bay need to be aware of the location and amount of fertilizer they are putting onto their lawns and gardens, as well as septic system tank potential leaking and location in proximity to bodies of water.
Daily household practices can also contribute to BGA growth on an individual level. Below are some preventive strategies to consider:
· Using phosphate-free detergents, cleaning supplies, and hygiene products (4)
· Use less lawn fertilizer (commonly high in phosphorus) (4)
· Regular septic system maintenance (4)
· Maintain vegetation near waterways to reduce runoff and preserve natural shoreline (4)
· Recognize and report BGA blooms (4)
· Refer to Ontario’s 12-point plan on blue green algal blooms for further information: https://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae (4)
By practicing these recommendations, communities can do their part in reducing the growth and spread of BGA. With climate change being a significant driver of the increasing rates of BGA, it is important to consider your role as a community member and reduce your impact on the environment (18).
References
1. Harke MJ, Steffen MM, Gobler CJ, Otten TG, Wilhelm SW, Wood SA, et al. A review of the global ecology, genomics, and biogeography of the toxic cyanobacterium, Microcystis spp. Harmful Algae [Internet]. 2016 Apr 1;54(Complete):4–20. Available from: http://resolver.scholarsportal.info.ezproxy.lakeheadu.ca/resolve/15689883/v54icomplete/4_arotgeottcms.xml
2. Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Blue-Green Algae Historical Results [Internet]. Thunder Bay District Health Unit; updated 2021 Sept 12. Available from: https://www.tbdhu.com/health-topics/beaches-pools/blue-green-algae/blue-green-algae-historical-results
3. Johnson, B. Hot summer causes algae blooms to become more common on Lake Superior [Internet]. 2021 Sept 19 [cited 2022 Mar 9]; StarTribune. Available from: https://www.startribune.com/hot-summer-causes-algae-blooms-to-become-more-common-on-lake-superior/600098874/?refresh=true
4. Ontario.ca. Blue-green algae [Internet]. [cited 2022 Mar 6]. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/blue-green-algae
5. Harris, N., Harvey, K.V., Gordon, S.C., Alderman, P., Esposito, D., Reif, J.S. & Adam M. Schaefer, A.M. Algal Bloom–Related Illness: Improving Health Outcomes in Primary Care. J Nurse Pract [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2022 Mar 5]; 16(9):679-682. Available from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.06.019.
6. Xu S, Yi X, Liu W, Zhang C, Massey I, Yang F et al. A Review of Nephrotoxicity of Microcystins. Toxins. 2020;12(11):693.
7. Labine MA, Minuk GY. Cyanobacterial toxins and liver disease. Can J Physiol Pharmacol. 2009;87(10):773–788.
8. Government of Canada. Public Health Agency of Canada [Internet]. Canada.ca. 2022 [cited 2022 Mar 5]. Available from: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/corporate/mandate/about-agency.html
9. Sini P, Dang T, Fais M, Galioto M, Padedda B, Lugliè A et al. Cyanobacteria, Cyanotoxins, and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Dangerous Liaisons. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2021;22(16).
10. CBC News Thunder Bay. Blue-green algae confirmed in Thunder Bay-area lake, province says [Internet]. CBC News. 2019 [cited 2022 Mar 5]. Available from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/blue-green-algae-hawkeye-lake-1.5259316
11. CBC News Thunder Bay. Lakehead University researcher wants to know why blue-green algae popping up in area lakes [Internet]. CBC News. 2021 [cited 2022 Mar 5]. Available from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/thunder-bay-blue-green-algae-1.6144824
12. Wiśniewska K, Lewandowska A, Śliwińska-Wilczewska S. The importance of cyanobacteria and microalgae present in aerosols to human health and the environment – Review study. Environment International. 2019;131:104964.
13. Chakdar H, Jadhav S, Dhar D, Pabbi S. Potential applications of blue green algae. Journal of Scientific & Industrial Research. 2012;71:13-20.
14. Bhooshan N, Pabbi S, Singh A, Sharma A, Chetan, Jaiswal A et al. Impact of blue green algae (BGA) technology: an empirical evidence from northwestern Indo-Gangetic Plains. 3 Biotech. 2018;8(8).
15. Ku C, Yang Y, Park Y, Lee J. Health Benefits of Blue-Green Algae: Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease. Journal of Medicinal Food. 2013;16(2):103-111
16. Windsor-Essex County Health Unit. Blue-Green Algae Bloom [Internet]. [cited 6 Mar 2022]. Available from:https://www.wechu.org/drinking-water-small-drinking-water-systems-beaches-pools-and-spas/blue-green-algae-bloom#:~:text=DO%20NOT%20BOIL%20THE%20WATER%20DURING%20A%20BLUE%2DGREEN%20ALGAE%20BLOOM!&text=Boiling%20or%20treating%20the%20water,water%20source%20must%20be%20used
17. Nutrient Management on Farms [Internet]. Ontario.ca. 2014 [cited 2022 Mar 9]. Available from: https://www.ontario.ca/page/nutrient-management-farms
18. TBNewsWatch. Blue-green Algae found at Two More Thunder Bay-Area Lakes [Internet]. TBNewsWatch.com. 2021 [cited 2022 Mar 9]. Available from: https://www.tbnewswatch.com/local-news/blue-green-algae-found-at-two-more-thunder-bay-area-lakes-4547886