In September of 2015, Ohio experienced an algae outbreak worse than any other in the Rivers history. Toxic blue and green algae covered two thirds of the 981 mile river. The toxin that overwhelmed the River was called microcystin. In Lake Erie the year prior to the outbreak in Ohio, the yearly bloom took place during the peak municipal water intake for Toledo which caused the city to shut down drinking water supplies to over 400,000 people for 4 days in August. This is a problem for humans who depend on drinking water, but is even worse for the animals living in the water.

The blooms of blue-green algae that covered the Ohio River last year are from cyanobacteria as described in Module 7. Also known as CyanoHABs, are known to cause gastrointestinal, respiratory, allergic and neurological responses, and potential liver damage in humans. The reason why these blooms are harmful to organisms is because the cyanobacteria can block incoming solar radiation which causes lack of oxygen to organisms. In this particular bloom that effected the Ohio River, the cause was known. Tides of phosphates and nitrates enter the river from fertilized fields, cattle feedlots and leaky sewers, and provide food for the algae.

Having a house in Maryland on the Chesapeake Bay, I am highly concerned with blue-green algae blooms. Much like the Ohio River, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed is surrounded by farms that produce the runoff that is needed to fuel the outbreak. As an Earth Science Policy major, a long term goal of mine is to work on tightening up regulations for agriculture that takes place where it could potentially end up in the watershed. Scary to think about swimming in a bay with cow poop surrounding you, but also great motivation to work towards a cleaner, healthier watershed in years to come.

Reference:

Wines, Michael. “Toxic Algae Outbreak Overwhelms a Polluted Ohio River.” New York Times. 30 September 2015. Web. Retrieved: http://www.nytimes.com/2015/10/01/us/toxic-algae-outbreak-overwhelms-a-polluted-ohio-river.html