Summer HABs in Maryland Summer HABs in Maryland Chesapeake BayChesapeake Bay

Prepared by:Prepared by: Richard Lacouture & Ann Marie HartsigRichard Lacouture & Ann Marie Hartsig

Morgan State University Estuarine Research CenterMorgan State University Estuarine Research Centerand the data of Walter Butlerand the data of Walter Butler

MDDNRMDDNR

+ forecast assessment + forecast assessment and other dataand other data

Ben Longstaff & Cathy WazniakBen Longstaff & Cathy Wazniak

Microcystis aeruginosaMicrocystis aeruginosa in Potomac in Potomac RiverRiver• The The M. aeruginosaM. aeruginosa bloom in the Potomac River during the bloom in the Potomac River during the

summer of 2008 was relatively intense and widespread for a summer of 2008 was relatively intense and widespread for a short period of time.short period of time.

• The bloom was first seen in a sample from Possum Point on The bloom was first seen in a sample from Possum Point on 7/15. 7/15.

• Densities increased slightly on 7/21 but not the areal extent of Densities increased slightly on 7/21 but not the areal extent of the bloom.the bloom.

• The next sampling on 8/11 turned out to be the peak of the The next sampling on 8/11 turned out to be the peak of the bloom both areally and in terms of cell numbers which peaked bloom both areally and in terms of cell numbers which peaked at ~100,000 cells/ml.at ~100,000 cells/ml.

• The bloom dissipated somewhat on 8/18 both in terms of its The bloom dissipated somewhat on 8/18 both in terms of its spatial dimension and the density of cells in the surface layer.spatial dimension and the density of cells in the surface layer.

• The bloom was virtually non-existent on 8/25 with the exception The bloom was virtually non-existent on 8/25 with the exception of Mattawoman Creek which still contained relatively low cell of Mattawoman Creek which still contained relatively low cell densities.densities.

• Those cell densities persisted in Mattawoman Creek on 9/8. Those cell densities persisted in Mattawoman Creek on 9/8. • Toxicity tests taken from samples in early and mid-August Toxicity tests taken from samples in early and mid-August

indicate relatively high concentrations of the toxin, Microcystin.indicate relatively high concentrations of the toxin, Microcystin. • In addition, there were high densities of In addition, there were high densities of M. aeruginosaM. aeruginosa in the upper in the upper

Transquaking River area (>40,000 cells/ml) on the Eastern Shore. Transquaking River area (>40,000 cells/ml) on the Eastern Shore.

1-1000/ml

>1000-10,000/ml

July 15,2008

>10,000-100,000/ml

> 100,000/ml

1-1000/ml

>1000-10,000/ml

July 21,2008

>10,000-100,000/ml

> 100,000/ml

1-1000/ml

>1000-10,000/ml

>10,000-100,000/ml

August 11, 2008

> 100,000/ml

1-1000/ml

>1000-10,000/ml

>10,000-100,000/ml

August 18, 2008

> 100,000/ml

1-1000/ml

>1000-10,000/ml

>10,000-100,000/ml

August 25, 2008

> 100,000/ml

Microcystis Bloom- AugustMicrocystis Bloom- August

8/19/08

MicrocystinMicrocystin Results Results

20052005 2006 2007 2006 2007 Samples (n)Samples (n) 1212 20 1320 13 MeanMean 39.5 39.5 21.3 42.321.3 42.3 MedianMedian 0.80.8 2.7 2.7 2.7 2.7 Standard DeviationStandard Deviation 0.10.1 50.1 88.250.1 88.2 MinimumMinimum 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.29 0.1 0.29

MaximumMaximum 357 357 208 288 208 288

Forecast - methodsForecast - methods• Peter TangoPeter Tango• Change in methods compared to previous yearsChange in methods compared to previous years• Based on % samples collected by MD DNR and Based on % samples collected by MD DNR and

river flowriver flow

Forecast - Forecast - DNR samplingDNR sampling

• 1 bloom sample collected on 8/111 bloom sample collected on 8/11

• Observed large bloom in Mattawoman Crk: Observed large bloom in Mattawoman Crk: > 1 million cells per ml> 1 million cells per ml

• Health warning by Charles Co Health Dept. Health warning by Charles Co Health Dept.

Forecast - accuracyForecast - accuracy• Based on MD sampling – over Based on MD sampling – over

estimateestimate

• Consider MSU sampling – “perfect”!Consider MSU sampling – “perfect”!

• Change methods to include MSU Change methods to include MSU data? data?

Karlodinium veneficumKarlodinium veneficum in MD Chesapeake Bay and in MD Chesapeake Bay and tribstribs• Summer, 2008 was a fairly ‘mellow’ period for Summer, 2008 was a fairly ‘mellow’ period for

blooms of blooms of K. veneficumK. veneficum..• June proved to be the peak bloom period with June proved to be the peak bloom period with

high densities in Patapsco River (>50,000/ml) and high densities in Patapsco River (>50,000/ml) and near the westernshore of the Bay across from the near the westernshore of the Bay across from the mouth of the Choptank River and in the Potomac mouth of the Choptank River and in the Potomac River (>30,000/ml). There were a number of River (>30,000/ml). There were a number of other areas with intermediate cell densities of this other areas with intermediate cell densities of this dinoflagellate during June.dinoflagellate during June.

• There was very little bloom activity in July.There was very little bloom activity in July.• August and early-September were characterized August and early-September were characterized

by isolated blooms of fairly high densities in by isolated blooms of fairly high densities in Patapsco River and Corsica River (>30,000/ml).Patapsco River and Corsica River (>30,000/ml).

JUNE, 20081-1000/ML

>1000-10,000/ML

> 10,000/ML

JULY, 20081-1000/ML

>1000-10,000/ML

> 10,000/ML

AUGUST, 20081-1000/ML

>1000-10,000/ML

> 10,000/MLSEPT

• Two samples collected on April 29 Two samples collected on April 29 and April 30 from station (XJI2396) at and April 30 from station (XJI2396) at Budd's Landing on the Sassafras Budd's Landing on the Sassafras River had high cell counts of River had high cell counts of PseudoanabaenaPseudoanabaena (3,317,421 cells/ml (3,317,421 cells/ml and 3,843,251 cells/ml, respectively). and 3,843,251 cells/ml, respectively).

Prorocentrum - Prorocentrum - ForecastForecast

• Jon AndersonJon Anderson

• 7 regions7 regions

• CART analysis – flow, CART analysis – flow, clarity, temp and clarity, temp and salinitysalinity

• Bloom size - fuzzy logicBloom size - fuzzy logic

Prorocentrum - Prorocentrum - ForecastForecast• Patuxent River - late June to early JulyPatuxent River - late June to early July

• Choptank River and Bay Bridge – late Choptank River and Bay Bridge – late JuneJune

• No blooms in the late summer and fall No blooms in the late summer and fall periodperiod

‘Mahogany tide’mid-April through May

Potentially toxic dinoflagellateVenerupin Shellfish

Poisoning (VSP)

No fish kills 2008

5/15/08

Prorocentrum BloomProrocentrum Bloom

5/20/08

Prorocentrum - Prorocentrum - ObservedObserved

• Based on the Eyes on the Bay websiteBased on the Eyes on the Bay website

• No blooms (>4500cells/ml) in June – August periodNo blooms (>4500cells/ml) in June – August period

• Low density counts in many of the areas predicted Low density counts in many of the areas predicted to have bloomsto have blooms

Location Forecast Observed (date & cells/ml) Patapsco No bloom (<1000 cell/ml) Late July – 160

Late August – 279 Bay Bridge Late June (>4500 cell/ml) Late June – 1905

Early July - 381 Mid Bay No bloom No bloom Patuxent Late June / Early July (>4500 cell/ml) Early July - 381 Potomac No bloom Early July – 127

Early August – 254 Choptank Late June (>4500 cell/ml) Early July – 254

Mid July - 127 Lower MD Bay No bloom No bloom