phytoplankton monitoring programs - virginia deq€¦ · james river entrance station in 2008, and...

Phytoplankton Monitoring ProgramsPhytoplankton Monitoring Programs(ODU Phytoplankton Analysis Lab Data Bas(ODU Phytoplankton Analysis Lab Data Base)e)

Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: 1985 to present:Virginia Department of Environmental Quality: 1985 to present:a. Monthly collections taken at 7 Chesapeake Bay stations, and at 7 stations a. Monthly collections taken at 7 Chesapeake Bay stations, and at 7 stations

within 4 Virginia rivers March through October.within 4 Virginia rivers March through October.b. Additional collections during major blooms, fish kill events, shellfish b. Additional collections during major blooms, fish kill events, shellfish

contamination, and presence of harmful algal speciescontamination, and presence of harmful algal species..cc). Includes total algal composition, identification and abundances.). Includes total algal composition, identification and abundances.

Virginia Department of Health: 1997 to present:Virginia Department of Health: 1997 to present:a). From February through September, analysis of phytoplanktona). From February through September, analysis of phytoplankton

composition and abundance from ca. 50+ Virginia shellfish harvesting composition and abundance from ca. 50+ Virginia shellfish harvesting locations. Approximately 450 samples annually. locations. Approximately 450 samples annually.

b). Emphasis on bloom producers and HAB presence.b). Emphasis on bloom producers and HAB presence.c). Additional sampling for presence of HABs in Virginia lakes in 2010.c). Additional sampling for presence of HABs in Virginia lakes in 2010.

Analysis Protocol

1. Water samples (2501. Water samples (250--1000 ml) are initially prepared for 1000 ml) are initially prepared for standard light microscopic analysis (300X, 600X) standard light microscopic analysis (300X, 600X) conducted with inverted plankton microscopes for conducted with inverted plankton microscopes for species identification and concentrations.species identification and concentrations.

2. 2. MicrocystinMicrocystin analysis (ELISA) is analysis (ELISA) is perfomedperfomed during during MicrocystisMicrocystis bloom events.bloom events.

3. Routine PCR analysis is conducted throughout the 3. Routine PCR analysis is conducted throughout the sampling regarding sampling regarding KarlodiniumKarlodinium and and PfiesteriaPfiesteria taxataxa..

4. Supplementary analysis may include use of 4. Supplementary analysis may include use of epifluorescentepifluorescent or electron microscopy in rare cases.or electron microscopy in rare cases.

General Historical ResultsGeneral Historical Results•• Our bloom records in Virginia tidal tributaries and Our bloom records in Virginia tidal tributaries and

Chesapeake Bay since 1985 indicate:Chesapeake Bay since 1985 indicate:

•• A broad diversity among bloom producing algae, with 43 A broad diversity among bloom producing algae, with 43 taxataxaidentified as past bloom producers. identified as past bloom producers.

•• The most common bloom producers were The most common bloom producers were dinoflagellatesdinoflagellatesresponsible for 82 % of these blooms.responsible for 82 % of these blooms.

•• Between 1998 and 2008, ca. 15.3 % of 4,467 water samples taken Between 1998 and 2008, ca. 15.3 % of 4,467 water samples taken at monitored stations (ca.78) contained bloom concentrations. Algal at monitored stations (ca.78) contained bloom concentrations. Algal blooms blooms areare common events in Virginia waters.common events in Virginia waters.

•• The majority of these bloom producers are not HABs, but they may The majority of these bloom producers are not HABs, but they may impact the regional ecosystem and growth conditions for HABs, or impact the regional ecosystem and growth conditions for HABs, or by their own presence degrade water quality.by their own presence degrade water quality.

General Occurrences of Regional Blooms General Occurrences of Regional Blooms to Temperature and Salinityto Temperature and Salinity

R² = 0.7783

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

Num

ber o

f blo

oms (

84-0

6)

Temperature (C)

R² = 0.9591

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 28 30 32 34

Num

ber o

f blo

oms

(84-

06)

Salinity (ppt)

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

j f m a m j j a s o n d

raphidocryptochlorodiatomciliateeuglenocyanodino

Common nonCommon non--HAB Bloom ProducersHAB Bloom Producers

DinoflagellatesDinoflagellates::•• AkashiwoAkashiwo sanguineasanguinea•• HeterocapsaHeterocapsa rotundatarotundata•• HeterocapsaHeterocapsa triquetratriquetra•• ScrippsiellaScrippsiella trochoideatrochoidea

Ciliate:Ciliate:•• MyrionectaMyrionecta rubrarubra: :

a sporadic bloom producer a sporadic bloom producer in local rivers and the Bayin local rivers and the Bay

025,00050,00075,000

100,000125,000150,000

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

cells

/L

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1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000


cells

/L

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100,000

200,000

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400,000


Cells

/L

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40,000


cells

/L

Harmful Algae in Virginia Tidal Waters Harmful Algae in Virginia Tidal Waters and Chesapeake Bayand Chesapeake Bay

•• We have identified over 1,400 algal species within our We have identified over 1,400 algal species within our regional waters. Originally 38 species (ca. 2.7%) were regional waters. Originally 38 species (ca. 2.7%) were considered potentially harmful (HABs). Some were considered potentially harmful (HABs). Some were regionally common, and others rare, or not widely regionally common, and others rare, or not widely distributed.distributed.

•• These HABs were represented by : 14 These HABs were represented by : 14 dinoflagellatesdinoflagellates, 5 , 5 diatoms, 3 diatoms, 3 raphidophytesraphidophytes, and 16 , and 16 cyanaobacteriacyanaobacteria..

•• This list will increase with continued investigations of This list will increase with continued investigations of existing flora, and with other invasive species entering the existing flora, and with other invasive species entering the ecosystem.ecosystem.

Cochlodinium polykrikoidesCochlodinium polykrikoides

Karlodinium veneficumKarlodinium veneficum

Microcystis Microcystis aeruginosaaeruginosa

ProrocentrumProrocentrum minimumminimum§§ Several associated with toxin production. Several associated with toxin production. §§ Each may reduce oxygen Each may reduce oxygen levels and water quality levels and water quality conditions.conditions.§§ Impact to local fisheries, local resources, Impact to local fisheries, local resources, and economic and economic relationships.relationships.§§ Several expanding their range and degree of impact regionally and locally, Several expanding their range and degree of impact regionally and locally,

Harmful Bloom Species of Major Harmful Bloom Species of Major Concern in Virginia WatersConcern in Virginia Waters

Major Algal BloomsMajor Algal Blooms

Virginia Tidal Rivers Virginia Tidal Rivers

20102010

Cochlodinium polykrikoides Distribution

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

70,000

80,000

90,000

100,000

2/1/2010 3/1/2010 4/1/2010 5/1/2010 6/1/2010 7/1/2010 8/1/2010 9/1/2010 10/1/2010

cells

/ml

Cochlodinium polykrikoides

Karlodinium veneficum Distribution

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000

2/1/2010 3/1/2010 4/1/2010 5/1/2010 6/1/2010 7/1/2010 8/1/2010 9/1/2010 10/1/2010

cells

/ml

Karolodinium veneficum

Prorocentrum minimum Distribution

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

2/1/2010 3/1/2010 4/1/2010 5/1/2010 6/1/2010 7/1/2010 8/1/2010 9/1/2010 10/1/2010

cells

/ml

Prorocentrum minimum 4/19/10

Willoughby Bay170,000 cells/ml

Other Species of Potential Concern

•• AlexandriumAlexandrium monilatummonilatum: an : an ichthyotoxicichthyotoxic(hemolytic toxins) (hemolytic toxins) dinoflagellatedinoflagellate. Identified at the . Identified at the James River entrance station in 2008, and lower James River entrance station in 2008, and lower Bay 2007 and 2009. Bay 2007 and 2009.

•• ChattonellaChattonella subsalsasubsalsa: a : a raphidophyteraphidophyte, A , A ChattonellaChattonella sp. noted in the Elizabeth River in sp. noted in the Elizabeth River in 2011 and previously in other Virginia streams. A 2011 and previously in other Virginia streams. A potential toxin producer. Levels >10,000 potential toxin producer. Levels >10,000 cells/ml linked to fish killscells/ml linked to fish kills

200720082009

AlexandriumAlexandrium monilatummonilatum

An example of increasing An example of increasing abundance in recent years:abundance in recent years:

Southern Chesapeake Bay StationsSouthern Chesapeake Bay Stations

Prorocentrum minimumProrocentrum minimum((PavilardPavilard) Schiller) Schiller

R² = 0.1577

0

50,000

100,000

150,000

200,000

250,000

300,000

350,000

400,000

450,000

1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

CB6.1CB6.4CB7.3ECB7.4LE3.6LE5.5WE4.2

Linear ()

§§ Its bloom levels have been given an Its bloom levels have been given an official health precautionary regionallyofficial health precautionary regionally

§§ Bloom levels generally begin at >1,000 Bloom levels generally begin at >1,000 cells/ml, and may be associated with the cells/ml, and may be associated with the production of toxins (e.g. production of toxins (e.g. microcystinsmicrocystins).).

§§ For Chesapeake Bay and Virginia, grounds for For Chesapeake Bay and Virginia, grounds for issuing cautionary recreational usage are those issuing cautionary recreational usage are those waters having >27 waters having >27 ugug/L chlorophyll a, > 50,000 /L chlorophyll a, > 50,000 cells/ml of cells/ml of MicrocystisMicrocystis, and > 10 , and > 10 ugug/L of /L of microcystinmicrocystin..

§§ Shoreline accumulation of the bloom often Shoreline accumulation of the bloom often contain higher and more dangerous levels of contain higher and more dangerous levels of microcystinmicrocystin in the surface scum.in the surface scum.

Microcystis Microcystis aeruginosaaeruginosa KützingKützing

Algal BloomsAlgal BloomsVirginia Tidal RiversVirginia Tidal Rivers

2011 through Mid2011 through Mid--AugustAugust

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

25,000

30,000

February-2011 March-2011 April-2011 May-2011 June-2011 July-2011 August-2011

cells

/ml

Heterocapsa rotundataMax: 27,750 cells/ml 3/4/11 Totuskey CreekJames River Max: 9,300 cells/ml 5/16/11 James River

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10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

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60,000

70,000


cells

/ml

Heterocapsa triquetraMax: 65,940 cells/ml 4/6/11 James RiverJames River Max: 65,940 cells/ml 4/6/11 James River

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2,000

4,000

6,000

8,000

10,000

12,000


cells

/ml

Scrippsiella trochoideaMax: 9700 cells/ml 8/25/11 Chesapeake BayJames River Max: 2340 cells/ml 8/28/11 Lafayette River

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

4,500

5,000


cells

/ml

Gymnodinium/Gyrodinium spp.Max: 4670 cells/ml 7/21/11 Potomac River-Colonial Beach(Gyrodinium instriatum)

James River Max: 920 cells/ml 7/11/11 James River

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100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800


cells

/ml

Akashiwo sanguineumMax: 720 cells/ml 7/11/11 James RiverJames River Max: 720 cells/ml 7/11/11 James River

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8,000

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14,000

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18,000

20,000


cells

/ml

Prorocentrum minimumMax: 20,300 cells/ml 5/9/11 Yeocomico RiverJames River Max: 3780 cells/ml 4/7/11 Elizabeth River

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1,000

1,200

1,400


cells

/ml

Karlodinium veneficum

Max: 1160 cells/ml 5/11/11 Carter CreekJames River Max: 510 cells/ml 5/23/11 Chuckatuck River

Broad Bay200 cells/ml

4/12/11

0

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4,000

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14,000

16,000

18,000


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/ml

Cochlodinium polykrikoidesMax: 16,350 cells/ml 8/16/11 York RiverJames River Max: 11,540 cells/ml 7/27/11 Lafayette River

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400,000


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/ml

Microcystis aeruginosaMax: 335,000 cells/ml 7/25/11 Aquia CreekJames River Max: 5400 cells/ml 7/27/11 James River (BC1)

••Lower James RiverLower James River

HABs of Major ConcernHABs of Major ConcernCochlodiniumCochlodinium polykrikoidespolykrikoidesProrocentrumProrocentrum minimumminimum

Other HABs of Potential ConcernOther HABs of Potential ConcernAlexandriumAlexandrium monilatummonilatumChattonellaChattonella subsalsasubsalsaKarlodiniumKarlodinium veneficumveneficum

NonNon--HABs of concern include a variety of bloom HABs of concern include a variety of bloom producing producing dinoflagellatesdinoflagellates..

Upper James River Upper James River

Species of Major concern;Species of Major concern;MicrocystisMicrocystis aeruginosaaeruginosa

Species of potential Concern:Species of potential Concern:AphanizomenonAphanizomenon flosflos--aquaeaquaeCylindrospermopsisCylindrospermopsis raciborskiiraciborskiiLimnothrixLimnothrix redekeiredekei

Summary: Algal BloomsSummary: Algal Blooms

Virginia Tidal RiversVirginia Tidal Rivers•• Algal blooms are common events throughout the year.Algal blooms are common events throughout the year.•• The common bloom producers include several HABs.The common bloom producers include several HABs.

James RiverJames River•• DinoflagellatesDinoflagellates are the dominant HABs and nonare the dominant HABs and non--HABs of HABs of

concern in the lower James.concern in the lower James.•• CyanobacteriaCyanobacteria are the dominant HABs of concern in the are the dominant HABs of concern in the

upper James.upper James.

HRSD monitoring• 172 collections

made between 3/8/11 and 8/3/11

• Routine collections as well as bloom samples (increased chlorophyll levels)

• YSI chlorophyll measurements

LE5.1

LE5.2 LE5.3LE5.4

ER

phytoplankton monitoring programs - virginia deq€¦ · james river entrance station in 2008, and...

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