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The Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force Blue-Green Algae (cyanobacteria) Studies

This article presents information about the history of the Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force and blue-green algae studies sponsored by FWC/FWRI.

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FLORIDA'S HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOM TASK FORCE (FHABTF) AND BLUE-GREEN ALGAE (CYANOBACTERIA) STUDIES SPONSORED BY THE FWC/FISH AND WILDLIFE RESEARCH INSTITUTE FOR THE FHABTF

 

·       Florida’s Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force (FHABTF) was established in the fall of 1997 by Virginia Wetherell, then the Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, with the Secretary of the Department of Health as the co-chair. The FHABTF was established to deal with perceived increasing problems with harmful algal blooms (HABs) due to the 1996 red tide and manatee mortalities caused by the dinoflagellate Karenia brevis and the reports of Pfiesteria, a different dinoflagellate, along the eastern US seaboard (Steidinger et al. 1999, Steidinger 2002).

·       In 1998, the Florida Legislature appropriated one million dollars to fund research critical to HAB issues in Florida. The TF was instructed to review needs and make recommendations for funding. The money was assigned to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (formerly the Florida Marine Research Institute [FMRI], then with the Department of Environmental Protection [DEP]).

·       The first charge of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) appointed by the TF chair was to prepare a white paper on “Harmful Algal Blooms in Florida” (final report released March 8, 1999, Steidinger et al. 1999). It was recommended that the TF use the white paper to assess priorities for funding HAB-related research. Blue-green algae or cyanobacteria were one of six HAB focus topics along with red tide, ciguatera, and other HABs.

·       The FHABTF identified cyanobacteria blooms in fresh and brackish water as an emerging HAB problem in Florida. For cyanobacteria, six priorities were identified: 1) determine the distribution of toxic and nontoxic strains, 2) develop epidemiological studies to determine public health risks, 3) develop economic impact studies to evaluate losses by location or industry, 4) determine the roles of nutrient enrichment and managed freshwater flow in blooms, 5) determine fate and effects of toxins in the food web, and 6) investigate control and mitigation methods. The first and second recommendations were realized as primary targets for funding.

·       In 1999, the Florida Legislature appropriated another one million dollars to address the 1999 white paper recommendations. In the same legislative session, the TF was formalized by statute 370.06092 and was given 4 objectives to achieve. The TF achieved three of those objectives, i.e. a) review the status and adequacy of information for monitoring physical, chemical, biological, economic, and public health factors affecting harmful algal blooms in Florida, b) develop research and monitoring priorities for harmful algal blooms in Florida, including detection, prediction, mitigation, and control, and c) make recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI, formerly FMRI) by October 1, 1999, for research, detection, monitoring, prediction, mitigation, and control of harmful algal blooms in Florida.

·       The fourth objective, “Develop recommendations that can be implemented by state and local governments to develop a response plan and to predict, mitigate, and control the effects of harmful algal blooms” is currently being finalized for four major HAB types, i.e., red tides, ciguatera, saxitoxins (a new Florida issue since 2002), and cyanobacteria. This current activity (named the Florida HAB Public Health Technical Panel, FLHABPHTP) is a joint collaborative effort between the FDOH and FWC and supported by CDC and FWC funds. 

·       The legislation also stated “After the completion of the tasks specified in subsection (2), the Harmful-Algal-Bloom Task Force may be continued at the pleasure of the FMRI.” Because of continued HAB problems in the state of Florida, the Director of FWRI has chosen to reconvene the FHABTF to review the current status and emerging issues from HABs in Florida, to specifically address cyanobacteria blooms, and to advise on priority needs for research and monitoring.

·       Under the FHABTF for cyanobacteria research, in the first year (FY 1998-1999), $100,000 was awarded to the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) for an “Assessment of cyanotoxins in Florida's lakes, reservoirs, and rivers” (Williams et al. 2001). In year two, 1999-2000, $196,000 was awarded to the SJRWMD to continue the original survey, to add water treatment plants to the sampling schedule to investigate if cyanobacteria toxins (cyanotoxins) were present in the raw and finished waters, and to fund a small pilot epidemiology study. The results of this investigation were documented by Williams et al. (April 11, 2006) in a draft report entitled "Assessment of cyanotoxins in Florida's surface waters and associated drinking water resources." The epidemiology study conducted by the University of Miami and collaborators (Fleming et al. 2000, 2002) investigated possible links between exposure to cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins in drinking water, and the incidence of liver cancer in Florida. 

·       In the third year, FY 2000-2001, about $387,000 was awarded to different contractors to 1) continue the cyanobacteria survey and epidemiology studies (Burns et al. 2002; Williams et al. 2001, 2006; Fleming et al. 2000, 2002), 2) work on toxin standards for cylindrospermopsin, a newly recognized toxin in Florida, 3) hold a workshop to focus on a probe or biosensor approach for the detection of toxins for monitoring (Fries et al. 2001), and 4) develop education materials on possible exposures and health effects from cyanobacteria for the public and medical profession (Fleming et al. 2002, 2002).

·       The first study (cyanobacteria survey) determined that cyanotoxins were detected in Florida’s surface water drinking supplies. Microcystins, cylindrospermopsins, and anatoxins were also detected in post-treatment finished water samples.

     The third study evaluated if chemical and microelectronic detection kits adapted to autonomous sensors could be put in-line in treatment plants or used for cyanobacteria monitoring. A team of US experts was assembled with proven capabilities and success in developing chemical kits for species and toxins, biosensors for species or toxins, and autonomous vehicles or instruments. The team sponsored a workshop during 2001 with invited participants (for example, surface water treatment plant operators and DEP water facilities personnel) to review existing and future applications. The summary of the workshop is posted at the FWRI website at http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=25327

     The fourth study, coordinated by the University of Miami in collaboration with the DOH resulted in the development of educational materials, pamphlets (“Are you being slimed”), informational brochures, and peer-reviewed publications on the risks of cyanobacteria to the public in Florida. Fleming and Stephan (2001) also provided a review on cyanobacteria, their toxins and public health issues to the FHABTF.

·       From 1999-2001, a total of $683,000 was expended for cyanobacteria research, monitoring, investigation, and a workshop.

·       The funding for TF projects to fill in data gaps was successful, but just as importantly, project results were used to leverage for additional funds and other phases of research. Additional funds were made available through other sources to 1) promote chemical or cell assays to replace mouse bioassays, 2) investigate effects of red tide aerosol on humans, 3) investigate the possibility for cyanotoxins in drinking water, 4) promote automation of detection and quantitation methods for cyanotoxins in natural waters, aquaculture, and water treatment plants, 5) promote state monitoring programs, and 6) promote new HAB studies not considered in the first three rounds of TF funding by pursuing additional grants. Lastly, the Research Contracts Review Committee of the TF recommended that two workshops be held: 1) to address treatment methods for blooms and cyanotoxins in drinking water, and 2) to address public health and cyanobacteria (Steidinger 2002).

·       With the impetus for continued research and information exchange on cyanobacteria issues in Florida, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection held a meeting on treatment methods for cyanobacteria. The DOH in collaboration with the CDC sponsored a workshop on “Health effects of exposure to cyanotoxins: state of the science” in 2002. Papers from the health workshop summarized much of the research done through the FHABTF as well as other ongoing studies in the state (Burns et al. 2002, Johnson and Harbison 2002, Steidinger 2002).

·       Under the FLHABPHTP, a meeting was hosted by FWC and DOH in September 2005 at FWRI in St. Petersburg, Florida, to address, in part, current issues with cyanobacteria in Florida.

·       The data obtained on cyanobacteria from the TF initiatives highlighted a diversity of public health, natural resources, and environmental issues that continue to confront Florida today.  The state agencies need to develop an integrated approach to document and quantify the cyanobacteria problems; determine how to minimize, predict, manage, and control the blooms; continue to assess the public health and natural resources risks from cyanotoxins in drinking water reservoirs and other aquatic habitats; and to provide consensus in communication, feedback, and educational resources to the public and media. Further input and direction from the DOH, DEP, FWC, WMDs, private and non-profit labs, academia, and the public is required to address these issues. Reinstatement of the FHABTF is one mechanism to do this.

 

References

 

Burns, J., Williams, C., and Chapman, A. 2002. Cyanobacteria and their toxins in Florida’s surface waters. In Johnson, D. and Harbison, R.D. (2002). Proceedings of health effects of exposure to cyanobacteria toxins: state of the science, August 13-14, 2002, Sarasota, Florida, pp. 16-21.

Fleming, L.E., Rivero, C., Burns, J., Williams, C., Shea, K., and Stinn, J. 2000. Blue green algal toxins, drinking water, and primary liver cancer in Florida. Final report to the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force. 28pp.

Fleming, L.E., Rivero, C., Burns, J., Williams, C., Bean, J.A., Shea, K.A., and Stinn, J. 2002. Blue green algal (cyanobacterial) toxins, surface drinking water, and liver cancer in Florida. Harmful Algae 1:157-168.

Fleming, L. E. and Stephan, W. 2001. Report to the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force. Blue green algae, their toxins and public health issues. NIEHS Biomedical Center, University of Miami, 17pp.

Fries, D., Carmichael, W., Scholin, C., and Doucette, G. 2001. Cyanotoxin detection and quantification and instrumentation workshop. http://research.myfwc.com/features/view_article.asp?id=25327

Johnson, D. and Harbison, R.D. (2002). Proceedings of health effects of exposure to cyanobacteria toxins: state of the science, August 13-14, 2002, Sarasota, Florida. 101pp. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/ENVIRONMENT/community/aquatic/pdfs/Cyanobacteria_200208.pdf

Steidinger, K. A. 2002. Florida’s harmful algal bloom task force: history and focus. In: Johnson, D. and Harbison, R.D. (2002). Proceedings of health effects of exposure to cyanobacteria toxins: state of the science, August 13-14, 2002, Sarasota, Florida, pp. 6-15. http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/aquatic/pdfs/cyanobacteria_200208.pdf

Steidinger, K.A., Landsberg, J. H., Tomas, C.R., and Burns, J.W. 1999. Harmful algal blooms in Florida, Unpublished technical report submitted to the Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, Florida Marine Research Institute, 63pp.

Williams, C. D., Burns, J., Chapman, A., Flewelling, L., Pawlowicz, M., and Carmichael, W. 2001. Assessment of cyanotoxins in Florida's lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. Final report. St. John’s River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida, 97pp.

Williams, C. D., Burns, J., Chapman, A., Pawlowicz, M., and Carmichael, W. 2006. Assessment of cyanotoxins in Florida's surface waters and associated drinking water resources. Draft report. St. John’s River Water Management District, Palatka, Florida, 89pp.