Microseira wollei (M. wollei) Blooms in Freshwater Ecosystems in Lake St. Clair (Michigan, USA)- Impacts and Possible Management Approaches
Abstract
The proliferation and shoreline accumulation of the filamentous biphasic cyanobacterium, Microseira wollei (M. wollei) have become an increasing problem in the Great Lakes, both for aesthetic reasons and its potential to harbor harmful bacteria and pathogens. Occurrences have been reported and studies have also been conducted in the southeastern US where M. wollei has become a nuisance in recent years and is known to produce toxins. Reports of M. wollei proliferations in the eastern US have been identified in the Manitoba lakes, in Lake Erie from Maumee Bay, in Lake St. Clair near Detroit, and throughout the St Lawrence River. M. wollei has become a serious nuisance for marinas, public beaches, and lakefront property owners. In addition, M. wollei appears to have the ability to produce a wide range of toxins, but the conditions promoting their production, type, and concentration are poorly known. Occurrences of large algal mats matching characteristics of M. wollei have been observed along the northwest shore and nearshore waters of the beach at Lake St. Clair dating back to 2010. To date, a comprehensive study detailing the potential impacts M. wollei has on freshwater ecosystems in the Great Lakes River, particularly Lake St. Clair is lacking. Further, management solutions are not well understood. This technical note (TN) reviews the potential causes of M. wollei blooms and their ecological impacts on aquatic systems and assesses the management options available to eliminate or minimize the impacts of these blooms.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Oct 03, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1213532
Entities
People
- Afrachanna D. Butler
- Alyssa J. Calomeni
- Andrew D McQueen
- Catherine C. Thomas
- William T. Slack
Organizations
- United States Army Corps of Engineers