Oct. 23 (UPI) — An analysis of lake water quality recently revealed a significant escalation in the risk of toxic algae blooms in Northern lakes because of climate change.
Research published in Nature Water suggests that the findings pose growing threats to both human and wildlife populations, including domestic animals such as dogs.
In a study encompassing 2,804 U.S. lakes, researchers were able to forecast the future production of microcystin, a toxin created by blue-green algae species, in lakes across the country.
Their findings indicate that a northward shift in areas at higher risk for the algal blooms, especially in the Great Plains and the northwestern United States.
Lakes are often used as indicators of climate change, yet researchers say the exact consequences of warming on microcystin concentrations remained unclear. They propose that the temperature range consistently linked to a heightened risk of microcystin occurrences falls between 68 degrees and 77 degrees F.
“It’s clear regions with a history of fewer toxic blooms are likely to experience an increase in such occurrences due to climate change,” said Ted Harris, co-author of the study and assistant research professor with the Kansas Biological Survey & Center for Ecological Research.
He continued, “High-nutrient lakes, which serve as a fuel source for these blooms, are particularly vulnerable to this trend.”
Harmful algal blooms, inflict multi-million-dollar economic losses on the U.S. annually, stemming from health risks, disruptions to fisheries and the decline of recreational and tourism activities.
Earlier this month, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration made a commitment of over $20 million to fund the surveillance and study of harmful algal blooms in U.S. waters and the Great Lakes.
