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#ClimateChange Contributes to Shift in #LakeErie’s Harmful #AlgalBlooms

Blooms over the past decade have started earlier in July and had longer peaks, according to #NOAA researchers.

By Kathiann M. Kowalski
July 26, 2024

"Lake Erie’s harmful algal blooms have started sooner and had longer peak periods over the past decade compared to earlier years, newly released data shows. Warming temperatures linked to climate change are a cause, according to researchers for NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, with interactions among species likely playing a role as well.

"The NOAA scientists discussed the shift and forecast a moderate to above-moderate algal bloom for the lake’s western basin this summer during a briefing last month at Ohio State University and Ohio Sea Grant’s Stone Laboratory, off the coast of Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie.

"Algal blooms occur when #cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, grow out of control due to a combination of excess #nutrients, #weather patterns and other #ecological factors. The blooms can be a serious public health problem because some types of cyanobacteria produce toxins. #Microcystin, for example, can lead to skin rashes, gut problems and liver and kidney issues. Relatively high levels of it in August 2014 prompted a two-day shutdown of #Toledo’s public #WaterSupply, which comes from Lake Erie."

#HABs #ToxicAlgae
#Fish #ClimateChange #ClimateCrisis #WaterIsLife
#WaterTemperatures