Top: Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii (photo reproduced with permission from GreenWa-
ter Laboratories)

Middle: Microcystis aeruginosa (photo reproduced with permission from GreenWater
Laboratories)

Bottom: Algae on Patriot's Park Lake (photo by Mike Bundren, Illinois EPA)

" Candlewick Lake

Foard @ westlake @ Wonder

Caro ogie Fox River
at Algonquin, IL

Fox River at
Montgomery, IL

Vermilion River
at Pontiac, IL

Patriot's.
Park

EXPLANATION Lake] Favete

e" Lake Site with Microsystin-LR advisory level (top),
Total Cyanobacteria advisory level (bottom),
and name

World Health Organization (WHO) guidance values for the relative
probablility of acute health effects during recreational exposure
to microcystins and cyanobacteria, based on information presented
in Chorus and Bartram, 1999, and Graham and others, 2009.

Relative Probability of Total
Acute Health Effects Microsystin-LR Cyanobacterial rion Lake ©
(Advisory Level) (ug/L) (cells/mL) =
rr New Reservar

Moderate 10-20 20,000-100,000 25 MILES
High 20-2,000 ‘100,000-10,000,000 25 KILOMETERS
Very Hi >2,000 10,000,000

Figure 1. Cyanobacteria sampling sites in Illinois showing relative probability of acute health effects from microcystins and
cyanobacterial cells based on maximum levels found in samples collected in 2012.


ZUSGS

science for a changing world

Initial Results from a Reconnaissance of Cyanobacteria
and Associated Toxins in Illinois, August-October 2012

By Paul J. Terrio', Lenna M. Ostrodka', Keith A. Loftin?, Gregg Good’, and Teri Holland*

Abstract

Ten lakes and two rivers in Illinois were sampled in
August—October 2012 to determine the concentrations and
spatial distribution of cyanobacteria and associated cyanotox-
ins throughout the State. The reconnaissance was a collabora-
tive effort of the U.S. Geological Survey and the Illinois Envi-
ronmental Protection Agency. Sample results indicated that
concentrations of both total cyanobacterial cells and micro-
cystin were commonly at levels likely to result in adverse
human health effects, according to World Health Organization
guidance values. Concentrations generally decreased from
August to October following precipitation events and lower
temperatures.

Introduction

Cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, can be
found in surface waters throughout the United States. These
microscopic organisms, when present in high concentrations,
can cause the water to have a pea-soup appearance or they can
accumulate as floating masses of blue- or green-colored scum,
commonly called cyanobacterial blooms. Elevated nutrient
concentrations, slow-moving water, warm temperatures, and
sunlight are all thought to be conducive to the growth of cya-
nobacteria.

The presence of cyanobacteria in lakes and rivers can
pose risks to human and ecological health. Some species of
cyanobacteria produce toxins, known as cyanotoxins, which
can cause gastroenteritic problems if ingested or inhaled.
Cyanotoxins can also cause allergic reactions following
bodily contact (Graham and others, 2009). In addition to toxin
production, cyanobacteria also can produce taste-and-odor
compounds, which increase the cost of water treatment (Gri
ham and others. 2008). Consequently, cyanobacteria in Illinois
lakes and rivers may hinder recreational activities, contami-
nate drinking-water supplies, and pose health risks.

A reconnaissance was conducted by the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS) and the Illinois Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) during August-October 2012 to (1) confirm
recent detections of high cyanotoxin concentrations, (2)
assess the spatial extent, concentrations, and characteristics
of cyanobacterial blooms in Illinois, and (3) provide data to
support State and local agencies in managing water resources
to protect human, animal, and ecological health. This report
summarizes initial results from this effort for informational
and discussion purposes. A more detailed publication with all

1U.S. Geological Survey, Iinois Water Science Center, Urbana, Illinois.
7U.S. Geological Survey, Kansas Water Science Center, Lawrence, Kansas

*Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, Springfield, Illinois.

methods, analytical results, and interpretations is planned. In
late August 2012, concerns arose after samples analyzed from
a private lake indicated elevated concentrations of cyanotoxins
and several observations of cyanobacterial blooms in northern
Illinois were reported. The two agencies made an effort to
collect a substantial number of samples prior to both the Labor
Day weekend and imminent rainfall and cooler temperatures
(remnants of Hurricane Isaac), which could potentially alter
the cyanobacterial communities and cyanotoxin concentra-
tions. Illinois EPA field screening for cyanotoxins earlier in
2012 and in previous years detected few concentrations of
concem. An extended drought in 2012 and accompanying
high temperatures might have provided conditions facilitating
cyanobacterial dominance and associated cyanotoxin produc-
tion.

Methods
Study design

Between August 29 and September 4, 2012, ten lakes
and two rivers were sampled for cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins,
nutrients, and chlorophyll a (fig. 1). The water bodies sam-
pled were selected based on reports of current cyanobacterial
blooms, where cyanobacterial blooms had been observed in
the past, where other field efforts already were being con-
ducted, and where additional sites would improve longitudinal
distribution of sample locations throughout Illinois. Additional
samples were collected on October 24, 2012, at four sites
(three lakes and one river) where some of the highest cyano-
toxin concentrations were determined in August-September
samples.

Field measurements

Field measurements of water temperature, specific con-
ductance, dissolved oxygen, and pH were collected by using
multi-meter sensors. All sensors were calibrated according

to individual agency protocols the day of the sampling.

Field measurements were made approximately 1 foot below
the water surface and within 10 feet of the water-sampling
location, so as not to disturb the water column at the point of
sample collection. Field measurement values reported here are
considered preliminary pending agency review and approval.

Sample collection

Cyanobacterial samples from lakes were collected at or
near the shoreline or from a dock. Samples from rivers were
collected near the banks or from a bridge at the center of the
stream. All samples were collected from observed cyanobacte-
rial blooms or areas of cyanobacterial accumulation, if present.
Samples were collected by immersing and subsequently filling

U.S. Department of the Interior
USS. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2013-1019
January 2013


polyethylene bottles by hand or by using a weighted-bottle
sampler. Samples were collected at the surface of the water. To
minimize sample disturbance, bottles were pre-rinsed in the
target lake or river away from where samples were collected.
Samples were placed in a dark cooler with ice to be analyzed
for cyanotoxins, cyanobacteria identification and enumeration,
total nutrients, and chlorophyll a.

Laboratory analyses

Samples collected for cyanotoxin analyses were frozen
to arrest cyanobacerial growth and chemical alteration before
being sent for analysis to the USGS Organic Geochemical
Research Laboratory (OGRL), Lawrence, Kansas. Samples
were analyzed by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays
(ELISA) to determine the presence of three cyanotoxins:
microcystins, saxitoxins, and cylindrospemmopsins. Subse-
quent tandem mass spectrometry was run on selected samples
to determine the concentrations of several additional cyano-
toxins, in addition to a verification of the ELISA results, where
possible.

Cyanobacteria samples from each water body were
collected in 500-milliliter (mL) polyethylene bottles and
preserved with approximately 5 mL of Lugol’s solution. The
samples were subsequently shipped to Green Water Laborato-
ries, Palatka, Florida, for cyanobacterial species identification
and enumeration.

Water samples to be analyzed for nutrients were also col-
lected as grab samples and were preserved with sulfuric acid
before shipment to the Illinois EPA laboratory in Springfield,
Illinois. These samples were analyzed for total phosphorous,
total inorganic nitrogen, total organic plus ammonia nitrogen,
and total ammonia nitrogen using Illinois EPA-approved meth-
ods.

Chlorophyll a samples were collected in polyethylene
bottles and filtered onsite onto a glass-fiber filter by using a
hand vacuum pump. The sample filters were subsequently
frozen before being shipped to the Illinois EPA laboratory for
analysis per approved methods.

Results and Discussion

Samples collected in late August and early September
had a wide range of cyanotoxin concentrations and total
cyanobacterial cell counts (table 1). Results from the ELISA
analyses showed that microcystins were the most frequently
detected cyanotoxin and were found in 85 percent of the water
bodies. Cylindrospermopsins were detected in 3 samples and
at concentrations near the detection limit, and saxatoxins were
not detected at any sampling site. Preliminary results from the
mass spectroscopy analyses also indicated that microcystins
were the predominant cyanotoxin present in the samples and
were found in samples from 11 of the 13 sampling sites.

The highest total microcystin concentration (4,800 ug/L)
was found in a northern Illinois lake—one of the lakes where
concems about cyanobacterial blooms was first expressed.
Lower concentrations (less than 2 g/L) of total microcystin
were found in six lakes and all rivers. Total cyanobacterial
cell counts also ranged broadly from the lowest count of
11,050 cells/mL in the Vermilion River to the highest count of
84,570,000 cells/mL in a northem Illinois lake.

The World Health Organization (WHO) developed
guidance values for the relative probability of adverse human
health effects from recreational exposure to microsytin-LR (a
common microcystin variant) and total cyanobacteria (Cho-
rus and Bartram, 1999). The explanation on figure 1 shows
these guidance values and the likelihood of associated adverse
health effects designated as low, moderate, high, and very high
probabilities. By comparison with these guidance values, four
lakes but no rivers were found to have high probabilities of
health effects due to microcystin. For total cyanobacterial cell
counts, virtually all of the water bodies had high or very high
probabilities of associated health effects; the exceptions were a
private lake in western Illinois and the Vermilion River.

Preliminary results from the October 2012 samples indi-
cate that both total microcystin concentrations and total cyano-
bacterial counts decreased from late August or early Septem-
ber to October, 2012. Both total microcystin concentrations
and total cyanobacterial cell counts decreased approximately
one order of magnitude in samples collected from these two
periods; microcystin concentrations for Westlake decreased
approximately one-hundredfold. Both water temperature and.
pH were observed to have decreased at several sites between
the August and October sample-collection dates.

The results from 13 water bodies sampled in 2012
indicate that cyanobacteria and associated cyanotoxins are a
concem for Illinois residents and water-resource managers and
agencies. The drought conditions and accompanying hot tem-
peratures present during much of the summer in 2012 might
have affected the development and persistence of cyanobac-
terial blooms. However, relatively little is still understood
about the specific conditions that cause cyanobacterial blooms
to occur and what causes the cyanotoxin. Further study and
monitoring of the development and distribution of cyanobac-
terial blooms is needed to determine the best approaches and
practices to managing Illinois surface waters.

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the sample-col-
lection efforts of Diane Tancl and Mike Bundren of the Illinois
Environmental Protection Agency and David Fazio, Charles
Bohall, and Jacob Wikle of the Illinois Water Science Center.
We would also like to thank the communities and owners of
the water bodies that were sampled for this effort.

References

Chorus, I., and Bartram, J., eds., 1999, Toxic cyanobacteria in
water: London, World Health Organization, 416 p.

Graham, J.L., Loftin, K.A., Ziegler, A-C., and Meyer, M.T.,
2008, Guidelines for design and sampling for cyanobacte-
rial toxin and taste-and-odor studies in lakes and reservoirs:
U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report
2008-5038, 39 p.

Graham, J.L., Loftin, K.A., and Kamman, N., 2009, Monitor-
ing recreational freshwaters—State monitoring programs

for cyanobacterial toxins in recreational freshwaters of the
United States: Lakeline, Summer 2009, p. 18-24.


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