Seneca Lake has blue-green algae

SENECA LAKE--The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has confirmed a harmful algae bloom (HAB) in Seneca Lake. According to a report from the Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association (SLPWA), the bloom is located along the northeast shore near Kime Beach southeast of Geneva in Seneca County.
"Lake residents, visitors and pets should avoid contact with any surface scums or heavily discolored water, and they should seek medical assistance and contact the local health department if they experience any symptoms from blue-green algae exposure (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, skin or throat irritation, allergic reactions or breathing difficulties)," said Scott Kishbaugh of the DEC.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, are of concern because of their potential impacts on drinking and recreational waters. Blue-green algae can form "blooms" that discolor the water or produce floating rafts or scums on the surface of the water. These can cause health risks to people and animals when they are exposed to them.
This is the first confirmed case of HABs in Seneca Lake. According to the DEC, algae blooms most frequently occur in nutrient-rich waters, particularly during hot, calm weather.
"The appearance of a bloom confirms that the condition of Seneca Lake is deteriorating," said Mary Anne Kowalski, SLPWA president. "It is a warning that the problem of nutrients in the Lake must be addressed."
The sample was submitted through the SLPWA "HABs Hotline," created to assist Seneca Lake residents and visitors with concerns about harmful algae blooms.
According to the DEC, the results from both samples submitted from Kime Beach Road (Seneca County) confirm the presence of a blue-green algae bloom, based on blue-green chlorophyll a levels of 10,400 and 5,600 ug/l (compared to the DEC bloom criteria of 25-30 ug/l) and a microscopic analysis indicating dominance by Anabaena and Microcystis.
Toxin testing is pending. It is not expected these blooms are extensively found throughout the lake, but it is not known if they are limited only to the northeastern shoreline. Lake residents should be aware of the potential for a blue-green algae (BGA) bloom in other locations.
Seneca Lake residents and visitors who suspect a blue-green algae bloom or that they or their pets have been in contact with a blue-green algae bloom are encouraged to contact either SLPWA at http://senecalake.org/projects/harmful-algae-blooms-habs/ or atsenecahabs@senecalake.org, or the DEC at HABsInfo@dec.ny.gov.
Because it is hard to tell a harmful algae bloom from other algae blooms, residents are advised to avoid contact with any floating rafts, scums and discolored water. When blooms are formed, the risk of toxin contamination of surface waters increases especially for some species of blue-green algae with the ability to produce toxins and other noxious chemicals. These are known as harmful algal blooms (HABs).
"Because of their behavior, dogs are much more susceptible than humans to cyanobacterial poisoning," according to the DEC. "When toxins are present, dogs can be exposed to toxins by drinking the water, by eating washed up mats or scum of toxic cyanobacteria and by having skin contact with water. Dogs are often attracted to algal scum odors. After leaving the water, dogs can also be poisoned by grooming their fur and paws."
According to the New York State Health Department, some blue-green algae produce toxins that could pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large enough quantities. Health effects could occur when surface scums or water containing high levels of blue-green algal toxins are swallowed, through contact with the skin or when airborne droplets containing toxins are inhaled while swimming, bathing or showering. Consuming water containing high levels of blue-green algal toxins has been associated with effects on the liver and on the nervous system in laboratory animals, pets, livestock and people. Livestock and pet deaths have occurred when animals consumed very large amounts of accumulated algal scum from along shorelines.
Direct contact or breathing airborne droplets containing high levels of blue-green algal toxins during swimming or showering can cause irritation of the skin, eyes, nose and throat and inflammation in the respiratory tract.
For more, visit http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html or http://senecalake.org/projects/harmful-algae-blooms-habs/