Freshwater Science webinar - Monitoring Microcystin Production Rates in Western Lake Erie

Microcystin toxins created by cyanobacteria are a major threat to both the environment and to human health in Lake Erie’s western basin. Understanding cyanobacterial growth rates, microcystin production rates, and what drives them will be crucial to creating a Lake Erie microcystin forecast to minimize our exposure to the toxins and understand how management actions may affect future blooms’ biomass and toxicity.

In 2023 and 2024, researchers led by Dr. Justin Chaffin of Ohio State's Stone Laboratory sampled several sites throughout Lake Erie’s western basin and Maumee Bay. They monitored microcystin production rates and cyanobacteria growth rates using laboratory experiments with ambient conditions and elevated phosphorus and nitrogen. Results yielded various insights about harmful algal blooms on Lake Erie.