green algae

120 Pages·1610·4.94 MB·English

RA-Water Quality Series 2
TOXIC
BLUE-
GREEN
ALGAE
National Ri'"'^ Al' r -;ri+Y
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TOXIC %LGAE
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A report by the
National Rivers Authority
N R A
-N at ion al Rivers Authority -
Water Quality Series No. 2
September 1990
National Rivers Authority
Eastbury House, 30-34 Albert Embankment, London SEi 7TL
©National Rivers Authority 1990
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
,
retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior written
permission of the National Rivers Authority
First Edition 1990
Price £15 (including postage and packing)
Further copies may he obtained on application to
National Rivers Authority, Anglian Region
Kingfisher House, Goldhay Way, Orton Goldhay, Peterborough PE2 OZR
Typeset, printed and bound by
Stanley L. Hunt (Printers) Lid, Midland Road, Rush den, Nor than is
PREFACE
Allowing, the-occurrence -ofblooms 'ofblue^green ~alga(Tin freshwaters du ring
the late summer of 1989, some of which were known to produce toxic
substances, it was clear that an appraisal of the phenomenon was urgently
required. The National Rivers Authority thus set up a working group, of both
NRA and non-NRA experts, to address the question of what needed doing
should a similar outbreak occur in 1990, and to advise on longer-term
solutions. This report is the result.
Because ofthe recurrence of blue-green algal blooms early in 1990, a number of
short-term measures have already been put into effect. The report, however,
goes much wider than this. It is, essentially, the first major appraisal of the
subject as a whole within the UK and will be of interest to a wide audience.
The NRA would like to thank the group for its hard work and diligence in
producing the report in such a short time.
Dr RJ Pentreath
Chief Scientist
The Chairman of the *Task Grouplwishes. to. express his-personal-thanksto-all
members ofthe groupfor their commitment, support andprofessionalism in the
compilation of this report.
,
A special vote of thanks goes to Ms C Phillips the Chairman's Secretary, for
,
her exceptional assistance and infinite patience perseverence and dedication
in the typing of the report.
Thank you all.
M. J. Pearson
Chairman of Task Group
CONTENTS
1 TERMS OF REFERENCE 11
2 TOXIC ALGAE TASK GROUP MEMBERSHIP 13
3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY _15
Introduction 15
Factors Affecting the Incidence of Blooms ' 15
Toxin Production 16
Detection and Analysis of Toxins 17
The 1989 Event 17
An Explanation of the Event 18
Monitoring in 1990 and Beyond 18
Methods of Controlling Blue-Green Algae in the Longer Term 18
Research and Development 19
Discussion 19
Recommendations 19
4 GENERAL INTRODUCTION 21
5 BLUE-GREEN ALGAE AND THEIR TOXINS 23
Introduction 23
Historical and International Perspective 23
Review of Toxins, Their Production and Their Effects 24
Occurrence of Toxic Blue-Green Algal Blooms in European Freshwaters 24
Structure and Activity of Blue-Green Algal Toxins 27
Neurotoxins 27
Hepatotoxins 28
Lipopolysaccharides 29
Factors Affecting Toxin Production 29
The Release of Blue-Green Algal Toxins into Water 30
The Functions of the Toxins 31
' “ Detecti'oTT—and~Analysis~of-Blue‘-Green~Algal" Toxin s~ ” ” 31
6 REVIEW OF FACTORS AFFECTING THE INCIDENCE OF
TOXIC BLUE-GREEN ALGAL BLOOMS 33
Introduction _ _ _ _ _ _ _ „ _ _33
Factors Favouring Abundance______________________________________________33
Buoyancy Regulations____________________________________________________ 34
Distributions of BluerGreen Algae ______________________________________. . 36
__________ Scum_Formation______________________________ _________________________39_ _
7 IMPACT OF BLUE-GREEN ALGAL TOXINS ON WILDLIFE,
DOMESTIC ANIMALS AND HUMANS 41
Introduction 41
Hazards to Wildlife and Domestic Animals 41
History of Suspected Blue-Green Algal Poisonings in Humans 42
Allergic Reactions and Skin Irritations 42
Gastroenteritis and Hepatoenteritis 43
Potential Hazards Related to Water-based Recreation 44
8 THE 1989 EVENT 45
Introduction 45
Rutland Water 45
The Deaths of Sheep and Dogs 46
The Hospitalisation of Two Soldiers in Staffordshire 47
Management of the 1989 Events 48
Events of Toxic Blue-Green Algae in 1989 Throughout the UK 49
Evidence to Determine if Blue-Green Algal Populations and *
Their Toxins Were Greater in 1989 Than in Previous Years 54
Weather Conditions 1989: An Explanation of the Event in the UK 57
Impact on the Community 58
Reports of Incidents and Problems Associated with Blue-Green Algal
Blooms Outside the United Kingdom in 1989 59
9 APPROACHES TO CONTROLLING BLUE-GREEN ALGAL
POPULATIONS 61
Introduction 61
Nutrient Deprivation 61
Physical Controls 63
Modelling Physical and Chemical Control of Plankton Populations 64
Biomanipulation Techniques 64
Algicides 65
Other Controls 66
Biological Controls 67
Scum Coralling and Removal 67
Summary 67
10 MANAGEMENT IN THE FUTURE 71
Short-term Measures for 1990 71
Monitoring Programme 1990 71
Standard Letters 71
Clarification of Responsibilities 72
Publicity Leaflet 72
Media Briefing and Press Conference . ------- ■■""' 73
Future Monitoring in 1991 and Beyond 73
Long-Term Reference Sites 73
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 75
Formation and Control of Blooms 75
_____Formation of Blooms----------------------------------------------------------------------------------75
Simulation Modelling of Bloom Dynamics 75
Nutrient Control 75
Biological Control 76
Chemical Control 76
Monitoring 76
Production, Regulation and Analysis of Blue-Green Algal Toxins 76
Production of Toxins 76
Regulation of Toxins 76
Method Development for the Identification and Quantification of Toxins 76
The Fate and Biological Significance of Blue-Green Algal Toxins 77
Release into Water 77
Sampling Strategies for Toxins in Lakes and Reservoirs 77
Effects of Toxins on Aquatic Life and Food Chains 77
Mammalian Toxicity of the Toxins 77
DISCUSSION 79
Blooms and Their Toxins 80
Control Options 80
Research and Development 81
Public Awareness 82
RECOMMENDATIONS 83
Practical Short-Term Management of the Problem 83
Eutrophication Control 83
Long-Term Monitoring 83
Research and Development 83
Administrative Management - - 84'
REFERENCES 85
GLOSSARY 89
APPENDIX A: Reports, received, from , . . - - - - - - - * *’ " ‘ * ' ' “ ~
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland 91
APPENDIX B: Monitoring Programme for 1990 111
APPENDIX C: Standard Letters 115
APPENDIX D: Media package __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ -- - - - - -- -- [19 ~
APPENDIX E: Guidelines for NRA Employees _ . _ . 125 - —
1 TERMS OF REFERENCE
The Task Group was established to produce a report on toxic blue-green algae by summer 1990.
The report should include the following aspects:
— An assessment of the 1989 problem
-------------—-Historical-problems-in_the-UK" and “abroad
— A review of factors affecting blue-green algal blooms
— A review of the influence of nutrients
— A review of the influence of biotic factors
— A review of Water Quality Management techniques
— A review of toxicological aspects
— Short-term measures to manage the problem in 1990
— Identification of Research and Development requirements
— Recommendations for the future
NRA TOXIC ALGAE TASK GROUP
MEMBERSHIP
M J Pearson Chairman
Chief Scientist, Anglian Region,
NationaLRivers-Authority.--------------------------------
Dr A J D Ferguson Task Group Secretary
Scientist (Biological Services),
Anglian Region, National Rivers Authority.
Professor G A Codd Professor of Microbiology,
Department of Biological Sciences,
University of Dundee.
Dr C S Reynolds Senior Principal Scientific Officer,
Freshwater Biological Association,
Institute of Freshwater Ecology, Windemere Laboratory.
J K Fawell Principal Toxicologist,
Water Research Centre, Medmenham.
R M Hamilton Freshwater Officer,
South West Region, National Rivers Authority.
Mrs S R Howard Senior Biologist,
Severn Trent Region, National Rivers Authority.
M R Attwood Technical Assistant (Biological Services),
Temporary Employee to assist the Toxic Algae Task Group,
Anglian Region, National Rivers Authority.