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Tag: water quality

  • Toxic Algal Blooms Endanger Canada’s Water Supply: How Scientists Are Creating a Revolutionary Early Warning System

    Toxic Algal Blooms Endanger Canada’s Water Supply: How Scientists Are Creating a Revolutionary Early Warning System

    In recent years, toxic algal blooms have posed a significant threat to Canadian lakes and waterways, putting millions at risk, especially when it comes to drinking water. These harmful blooms, made up of cyanobacteria, are becoming a growing concern, particularly in regions surrounding the Great Lakes. Scientists, however, are now working on innovative solutions to safeguard communities from this ecological menace.

    On a mission to combat this threat, researchers on Lake Erie are developing what could be a groundbreaking early warning system. This initiative, if successful, promises to help protect local residents from the harmful blue-green algae that have been steadily increasing in lakes across North America. These algae blooms not only disrupt aquatic ecosystems but also challenge the water treatment systems on which millions rely.

    What Are Toxic Algal Blooms?

    Toxic algal blooms, primarily caused by cyanobacteria, are a growing concern in freshwater bodies, especially in lakes like Lake Erie. These microorganisms, while naturally occurring, can quickly multiply under favorable conditions—like warm temperatures and nutrient-rich water—resulting in thick, slimy mats of algae. Known for producing toxins, cyanobacteria can cause serious health problems if ingested or even if humans come into contact with them. For instance, exposure can lead to skin rashes, eye irritation, nausea, vomiting, and even liver or kidney damage in severe cases.

    Animals, particularly dogs, are also at high risk from these toxins, with several cases of pets dying after exposure. The blooms not only threaten human and animal health but also cause significant disruption to local economies that rely on tourism, fishing, and recreational activities.

    The Situation in Lake Erie

    One of the most alarming examples of this problem is Lake Erie, the shallowest of the Great Lakes. The lake is particularly vulnerable due to its combination of warm waters and heavy nutrient runoff, largely from agricultural activities. Phosphorus-rich runoff from fertilizers and urban pollution acts as a food source for cyanobacteria, allowing blooms to spread rapidly during the warmer months.

    The United States and Canada have made several attempts over the decades to curb the phosphorus loads in Lake Erie, starting with initiatives in the 1970s. Despite these efforts, the problem persists. In recent years, it has reached critical levels, threatening the drinking water supply for millions of people. In 2014, Toledo, Ohio, was hit by a major crisis when toxins from an algal bloom infiltrated the city’s water supply, leaving half a million residents without safe tap water for two days.

    How Science is Responding

    Rather than waiting for the problem to worsen, scientists and water authorities are now taking a proactive approach. Researchers, including Aaron Fisk from the University of Windsor, are spearheading efforts to create an early warning system. This system, centered on the use of smart buoys floating on the lake’s surface, could provide real-time monitoring of water conditions.

    These buoys, managed by the Real-Time Aquatic Ecosystem Observation Network (RAEON), are equipped with sensors that track a variety of environmental factors, including water temperature, oxygen levels, chlorophyll concentrations, and wind speeds. By analyzing these factors, scientists can detect the early signs of harmful algal blooms, giving water treatment facilities a crucial head start.

    According to Fisk, these blooms aren’t going away anytime soon, and there is a real concern that they could worsen with climate change. The buoy system, however, offers a way to mitigate the impact on local communities, ensuring that residents continue to have access to safe drinking water.

    The Kingsville Project: A Model for the Future

    The town of Kingsville, Ontario, is taking the lead in adopting this early warning system. The local water utility, Union Water Supply, has partnered with RAEON to install buoys in strategic locations on Lake Erie. These buoys will transmit live water quality data directly to the utility’s control room, providing operators with up to 12 hours of advance notice before a harmful bloom reaches the water intake pipes.

    This is a significant improvement over the current system, which only offers a 30-minute warning. With more time to react, the utility can adjust its water treatment processes or even shut off intake valves to prevent toxins from entering the system. This proactive approach could be the key to preventing another crisis like the one in Toledo.

    Union Water Supply has also invested heavily in upgrading its treatment facilities. Over the next five years, the utility plans to spend $130 million on improvements designed to better handle the challenges posed by toxic algal blooms. These upgrades include retrofitting existing clarifying domes with state-of-the-art algae removal systems and building a new reservoir to increase the plant’s capacity.

    A Broader Environmental Challenge

    While the early warning system and treatment upgrades offer a promising solution for communities like Kingsville, the root causes of the algal bloom problem must also be addressed. Phosphorus runoff from agriculture remains a major contributor to the blooms, and efforts to reduce this pollution will be crucial in the long-term fight against cyanobacteria.

    Climate change is another factor that is exacerbating the problem. Warmer temperatures, combined with changing weather patterns, create the perfect conditions for algal blooms to thrive. As the climate continues to warm, scientists warn that the frequency and severity of blooms could increase, putting even more pressure on water treatment systems.

    Across Canada, similar blooms have been reported in British Columbia, the Prairies, Quebec, and Nova Scotia. Even historically unaffected areas, such as Lake Superior and beaches in Hamilton, have seen an uptick in blooms in recent years.

    A Call to Action

    The work being done on Lake Erie serves as a model for other regions facing similar challenges. By combining scientific research with practical applications, communities can take control of their water supply and reduce the risk of toxic algal blooms.

    However, solving this problem will require a concerted effort from governments, industry, and local communities. Reducing phosphorus pollution, investing in water treatment infrastructure, and addressing climate change are all essential steps in protecting Canada’s water resources.

    As Aaron Fisk reminds us, “We take it for granted that we have all of this water. We need to be more serious about it. It is not an inexhaustible thing.”

    By taking proactive measures now, Canada can ensure that its lakes remain healthy and its residents have access to clean, safe drinking water for generations to come.

    Source: Swifteradio.com

  • Exploring Environmental Science & Water Quality with Marquette’s Outreach Program

    a row of bottles filled with liquid sitting on a shelf

    Project Water Expands Science Career Possibilities for Milwaukee Public School Students

    For two weeks this fall semester, Christina Lim and Sophie Bridwell carefully gathered their microbiology lab equipment, placed it securely in their vehicles, and drove to Milwaukee Public Schools’ Audubon Technology and Communication High School. Their mission: to educate students about the importance of water quality and introduce them to the world of science. This initiative is part of “Project Water,” an educational outreach program aimed at high schools in the Milwaukee Public School (MPS) system that lack sufficient lab equipment or dedicated science rooms.

    Christina Lim, a lab manager in Marquette’s Department of Biological Sciences, and Sophie Bridwell, a Ph.D. candidate in microbiology, see this experience as a way to inspire a new generation about the importance of clean water and environmental microbiology. With only a few chairs and tables provided, Lim and Bridwell set up the same lab equipment they use in their Ph.D. and graduate programs to conduct labs for the high school students. Twice a week, they teach three classes a day to around 80 students.

    “By teaching them basic microbiology and water quality testing, it introduces the students to new areas that they didn’t know anything about but may have great interest in,” Bridwell says.

    In the labs, students tested water quality, including taking local water samples and testing for lead contamination. They also attended field trips to Jones Island Water Reclamation Plant and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee’s School of Freshwater Sciences. At Jones Island, students learned about waste management, engineering, and plumbing. At the School of Freshwater Sciences, they explored natural systems and an academic research environment.

    “We were able to show the students that this profession is very much in the realm of possibility if that’s what they choose to pursue down the road,” Lim says.

    Although the program focuses on educating high school students about water quality issues, the larger aim is to expose students to science lab work and the opportunities available to them after graduation.

    “It’s important for people to see that science doesn’t happen in a white ivory tower — you don’t need to be from a certain background or from a certain demographic,” Lim says. “Scientists come in different types and it’s important for them to see that science is accessible to them.”

    Project Water began in 2015 with funding secured by Kiana Yang, a postdoctoral researcher in the Opus College of Engineering, and Dr. Krassi Hristova, a professor of biological sciences in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. In 2019, Dr. Chris Marshall, an assistant professor of applied and environmental microbiology, joined the effort until the pandemic paused the program in 2020.

    Last fall, Marshall helped revive the program with Hristova and new funding from the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. In 2023, Marshall took over the program, which is now organized and based out of his lab.

    “Project Water doesn’t just focus on water quality issues,” Marshall says. “It’s also trying to expose the students to the world of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) and the possibility of a career within it.”

    source: today.marquette.edu

  • Impact of Healthier Environments on Reducing the Global Burden of Disease

    red and white bokeh lightsThe Critical Role of Healthier Environments in Reducing Global Disease Burden

    Healthier environments have the potential to significantly reduce the global burden of disease, with estimates suggesting that almost one-quarter of it could be prevented. The COVID-19 pandemic has starkly highlighted the fragile relationship between human health and the health of our planet. Ensuring clean air, a stable climate, adequate water, sanitation, and hygiene, safe use of chemicals, protection from radiation, healthy workplaces, sustainable agricultural practices, health-supportive cities and built environments, and preserved nature are all essential prerequisites for good health.

    In 2016, around 13.7 million deaths per year, or 24% of global deaths, were attributable to modifiable environmental risks. This translates to nearly one in four deaths globally being linked to environmental conditions. The pathways through which disease agents and exposures occur are numerous, and unhealthy environmental conditions are widespread, affecting most disease and injury categories. Noncommunicable diseases such as ischaemic heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and cancers are the most common outcomes, followed closely by injuries, respiratory infections, and strokes.

    To address these challenges and promote healthier environments for healthier populations, various initiatives are underway. These include addressing the health consequences of air pollution, hosting global conferences on air pollution and health, and convening health professionals to advance the climate change and health agenda. For example, progress on basic energy access has reversed for the first time in a decade, underscoring the need for continued efforts.

    Recent publications highlight the importance of providing safe and sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, managing healthcare waste, and ensuring reliable electricity. These efforts are crucial for maintaining public health, especially in fragile, conflict-affected, and vulnerable settings. Adolescents, who make up about 1.3 billion of the world’s population, are particularly at risk due to prolonged exposure to unhealthy environments.

    Small drinking-water supplies often face operational, managerial, technical, and resourcing challenges, impacting their ability to deliver safe water. Energy access is also linked to many sustainable development priorities, including public health, gender equality, food security, clean water, education, and economic development.

    Efforts to accelerate access to electricity in healthcare facilities, the impact of health innovations, R&D processes, and access to essential health services are all part of the broader agenda to build healthier environments. Stories of success and ongoing challenges are being shared through various platforms, including features on air pollution, health and environment scorecards, worker health and safety, and ethical radiological imaging.

    Upcoming events and webinars continue to address these critical issues, such as the Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, webinars on accessing GCF Readiness funds, conducting gender analyses for climate change and health vulnerability assessments, and developing Health National Adaptation Plans (HNAPs).

    Country profiles on air pollution, chemical safety, children’s environmental health, climate change, health impact assessments, occupational health, radiation, sustainable development, ultraviolet radiation, urban health, and WASH provide valuable insights into the state of environmental health worldwide. By focusing on these areas, we can move towards a future where healthier environments lead to healthier populations.

    source: who.int