Detections of cyanobacteria harmful algal blooms (cyanoHABs) in New York State, United States (2012–2020)

Characterizing the Impact of Cyanobacterial Blooms on the Photoreactivity of Surface Waters from New York Lakes: A Combined Statewide Survey and Laboratory Investigation

“…For any sample containing Chl-a cyano , a level exceeding 25 μg/L signified a confirmed bloom, while a level below 25 μg/L was indicative of a suspicious bloom. 32 On average, Φ app,RI for samples from lakes with confirmed blooms were significantly higher than those for samples from lakes with suspicious or no blooms (Figure 1d−e; Tukey's multiple comparisons test p < 0.0001−0.0012), a pattern similar to that observed upon classifying Φ app,RI by the bloom frequency of lakes. Together, results from these multiple comparisons tests constituted initial evidence supporting the enhanced photoreactivity of whole water samples from CSLAP lakes experiencing frequent blooms and elevated Chl-a cyano .…”

“…Over the past decade, inland lakes, reservoirs, and ponds in New York have seen a steady increase in the number of bloom reports . Current reporting of bloom events largely relies on a network of volunteers participating in the Citizens Statewide Lake Assessment Program (CSLAP), which is a longstanding water quality monitoring program established to inform lake management plans and support public education and outreach in New York .…”

Patterns and impacts of cyanobacteria in a deep, thermally stratified, oligotrophic lake

“…This approach affords a more rapid response than the time and resources required to conduct water sampling and analysis and is protective of human health. Beaches are reopened when the following criteria are met: the beach is free of a visible bloom for at least 1 day, and analysis of a water sample indicates total MC is below 4 μg/L (Gorney et al, 2023).…”

“…In 2019, the Canandaigua Lake Watershed Association, in coordination with NYSDEC, trained and organized volunteers to report conditions of cyanoHABs from 19 pre-defined shoreline locations on a weekly basis from July through October. Reports were evaluated by NYS-DEC staff based on visual evidence and/or laboratory results indicating cyanobacterial presence in bloom quantities (Gorney et al, 2023). CyanoHAB indicators (MC, FP, and microscopy) were sampled and evaluated as described above for several blooms, with the modification that samples with MC concentrations that exceeded a 75 μg/L calibration curve were not further diluted to get an absolute value.…”

“…Volunteer shoreline surveillance observations of cyano-HABs began the week of August 12 and continued through the end of October. A total of 39 shoreline reports that met NYSDEC criteria for a confirmed cyanoHAB (FPCyano ≥25 μg/L and indication of cyanobacterial dominance; Gorney et al, 2023) were submitted from 19 locations (Figure 4). Five additional visual reports were submitted by members of the public.…”