State HACB Thursday 2:12pm
Hello,
I am very surprised by this sample and sorry I did not get back to you sooner. The sample contains mostly green filamentous algae, but in between this green glob you collected contains cyanobacteria. This is a type I don’t see too often, Dolichospermum/Anabaena oscillariodies. The green material you collected is not a concern, but the water itself contains thousands of tiny filaments that are not visible. The cell count from this sample was 750,000 cells/ml. I was unable to grab another sample from the lake, but it appeared clear where I observed.
Thank you,
Amanda Murby McQuaid, Ph.D.
Harmful Algal and Cyanobacterial Bloom Program
Watershed Management Bureau
Water Division, NH Department of Environmental Services
29 Hazen Drive, P.O. Box 95
Concord, NH 03302-0095
603-848-8094
Amanda.McQuaid@des.nh.gov
Beach and Cyanobacteria Advisories (state.nh.us)
Question
Thanks Amanda
Are you going to do any cyanotoxin testing on the sample?
Response
Yes, but not right away. The plate reader is not working right now. If you want more toxins run sooner, you could try another lab too. Maybe Green Water Labs in Florida? They might be able to give you a better identification too as this is not one I am familiar with. I am also considering issuing an alert or advisory if there is still a presence. Thanks for any feedback on any current updates on the visible conditions. Is there any update on the animal deaths?
Thank you,
Amanda
BIPC Friday 8:03am
Amanda
Green water labs in Florida said not to ship samples on Friday. With this being one of the busiest holiday weekends on the lake can you advise. Would anther sample determine if the water is safe?
BIPC
State HACB
Thank you,
I think the water is generally safe, but I would look out for clouds and avoid the cove where the sample was collected. If you scoop the water into a glass and shine a light through it, do you see several tiny hair-like filaments? This could be a quick test to see if there are cells in the water, but I can’t say how toxic this type may be. It is also suspicious that this happened to coincide with some animal deaths. If you have any further information about that, please let me know.
I would be happy to go out on a boat with someone, but I cannot do so today. I know this a big holiday weekend, but this is also likely very isolated. It is just hard to say on a big lake where else it could be accumulating.
Let me know if you spot any cloudy areas or scums. Again the green blobs are not cyanobacteria, but they could be accumulating with cyanobacteria so you could also avoid these aggregates.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Thank you,
Amanda
BIPC
Amanda
Additionally, any examples of clouds to keep an eye out for would help get the word out?
How close to the blob do you want the new sample taken?
Is dropping it off in the cooler Saturday acceptable?
BIPC
State HACB
Thank you,
I would not be able to help until Tuesday. If you are out on the water this weekend and see these clouds, please send a photo to 603-848-8094. All you can do is inform your neighbors to avoid clouds in the water. Probably a good idea to avoid that cove and any green filamentous algae in case these are accumulating together.
Let me know if you see anything concerning.
Thank you,
Amanda
BIPC
Does NH have any reciprocal agreements with MA or ME when lab equipment is down for testing?
State HACB
No, I am sorry, the toxin testing is not a typical State service.
Example of Clouds
