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Protecting the Great Lakes from harmful algal blooms

Coastline of Lake Huron in the background with a harmful algal bloom visible as a different opaque color in the water.
Harmful algal blooms, known as HABs, occur in Lake Huron and other Great Lakes and threaten human human health and local economies. NOAA GLERL, 2020
  • Principal Investigator(s): Reagan Errera, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL)
  • Fiscal Year Funded: 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, 2026

Synergistic impact of climate induced acidification, temperature, total alkalinity and nutrients on cyanobacteria HABs in the Great Lakes 

Why we care
Imagine turning on your tap and being told the water is not safe to drink because of toxic algae. This has already happened in the Great Lakes region, and it shows how serious harmful algal blooms (HABs) can be. The Great Lakes provide drinking water, food, jobs, and recreation for millions of people. However, harmful algal blooms are becoming a serious concern in several areas of the Great Lakes. While HABs have been well studied over the last decade, there has been little effort invested in monitoring or understanding potential impacts of acidification on the ecosystem. As blooms continue and expand to new areas, there is a pressing need to better understand how acidification impacts toxic HABs. This project investigates what makes these blooms grow, why some become toxic, and how changing lake conditions including acidification may affect the future health of these waters.

What we are doing
The research team is investigating how changing water conditions affect harmful algae, called cyanobacteria, and what makes some blooms become toxic. The team will combine They are also comparing field observations, laboratory experiments, and historical lake records to better understand the changes in the overall plankton community. Researchers will look  at how water acidity, temperature, nutrients, and alkalinity influence the growth and toxicity of these algae. They will also determine the prevalence of key genetic markers for toxicity, and review sediment records for trends over time. 

Benefits of our work
This research can help protect people and communities by making harmful algal blooms easier to predict, monitor, and manage. Toxic blooms can make drinking water unsafe, harm pets and wildlife, reduce fish populations, and affect tourism and local economies. This work will further our understanding of HAB formation, succession and role of acidification and other factors in promoting toxic strains within the ecosystem. By understanding what causes harmful algae to grow and become toxic, this work can support better early warning systems and HAB forecasts to help keep the Great Lakes safer for drinking water, recreation, ecosystems, and future generations.

This work is jointly funded by the NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) and National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS).

Resources
Great Lakes – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)
NOAA – Predicting Algal Blooms
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab (GLERL) HAB tracker
GLERL Water Quality and Buoy Data
Ocean Acidification Research – Great Lakes
Video: “Just Because the Blooms in Lake Erie Slow Down, Doesn’t Mean We Do”

Investigators
Reagan M. Errera, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL)
Gregory J. Dick, Cooperative Institute of Great Lakes Research (CIGLR)
Rachel K Eveleth, Oberlin College
Jenan J. Kharbush, University of Michigan
Cody S. Sheik, University of Minnesota Duluth
Trisha L. Spanbauer, University of Toledo
Kevin M. Yeager, University of Kentucky

Management Transition Advisory Committee
Simone Alin, Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory
Warren Currie, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Sherilyn Fritz, University of Nebraska–Lincoln
R. Michael McKay, NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL)
Ana Sirviente, Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)
Robert Sterner, University of Minnesota Duluth

Effects of ocean acidification and temperature on Alaskan crabs

Red King Crab
Image credit: David Csepp, NMFS AKFSC ABL

Long-term declines of red king crab in Bristol Bay, Alaska may be partially attributed to ocean acidification conditions. These impacts may be partially responsible for the fishery closures during the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Researchers found that ocean acidification negatively impacts Alaskan crabs generally by changing physiological processes, decreasing growth, increasing death rates and reducing shell thickness. Funded by the Ocean Acidification Program, scientists at the Alaska Fisheries Science Center continue to investigate the responses of early life history stages and study the potential of various Alaska crabs to acclimate to changing conditions. Results will inform models that will use the parameters studied to predict the effects of future ocean acidification on the populations of red king crab in Bristol Bay as well as on the fisheries that depend on them. Fishery managers will better be able to anticipate and manage stocks if changing ocean chemistry affects stock productivity and thus the maximum sustainable yield.

More about this work

Forecasts for Alaska Fisheries

Crab pots and fishing nets in Alaska's Dutch Harbor
Image credit: Michael Theberge

Understanding seasonal changes in ocean acidification in Alaskan waters and the potential impacts to the multi-billion-dollar fishery sector is a main priority. Through work funded by NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program, the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory developed a model capable of depicting past ocean chemistry conditions for the Bering Sea and is now testing the ability of this model to forecast future conditions. This model is being used to develop an ocean acidification indicator provided to fisheries managers in the annual NOAA Eastern Bering Sea Ecosystem Status Report.

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

Closeup of oysters cupped in someone's hands

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

50 more ways to reduce your carbon footprint >

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action