Blue-Green Algae

The Bottom Line

Because toxins have been detected frequently in the plankton, the development of a dense algal bloom in Lake Champlain carries with it the possibility that toxins may reach concentrations that pose a significant health risk.  High densities of cyanobacteria can be present in an area and yet not form blooms until the appropriate environmental conditions develop.  Our prototype tiered monitoring approach, which tracks cyanobacteria densities and initiates toxin testing at when algal densities reach critical levels, seems to be a useful tool for notifying state public health officials about potentially threatening conditions and can also serve as an educational tool for the public.

In Burlington Bay, there is little evidence that recreational and municipal use of the lake should be curtailed because of cyanobacteria, but tools should be available to evaluate the potential risks associated with algal blooms.  We hope that the tiered approach that we are developing will become a useful tool for alerting public health officials about the risks to people so that appropriate actions to protect public health can be taken.