Rep. Kaptur, NOAA Outline Algal Bloom Projections, Reporting Tools for 2015
Research-based estimates suggest lower algal bloom threat than in 2014
WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-9) joined scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for a briefing on the use of algal bloom tracking and forecasting data yesterday. The briefing covered the latest harmful algal bloom (HAB) projection data as well as new tools and technology for tracking and reporting.
“When you open the newspaper and watch the news you see information on allergens,” said Rep. Kaptur. “You look at how we report on future potential for tornadoes and hurricanes, and in some areas of the country, wildfire conditions. What do we do for algal blooms? [We need] a way of communicating [this information] that is spatial and gives the public a sense of what is happening, but also moves to water quality and how do we assemble that data. We know that science will lead the way.”
Dr. Tim Davis, molecular ecologist at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, outlined some of the tools being introduced to track harmful algal blooms this year. He highlighted a new technology called the Environmental Sample Processor that will be used to improve the tracking of the toxicity in the Lake Erie Western Basin. “[It’s] a lab in a can,” said Davis. “It will take a sample of water, it will concentrate it, it will extract it and it will analyze it and send the data back to it remotely.”
Dr. Rick Stumpf, oceanographer at NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, presented findings that combine satellite data, environmental data and water data collected at field stations to analyze and forecast algal blooms for Lake Erie. NOAA uses scientific calculations to interpret this collection of information to quantify algal blooms. They also factor in wind and water data to track and predict the movement of algal blooms.
Dr. Eric Anderson, physical oceanographer at NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, discussed improvements that NOAA is undertaking to allow for more frequent algal bloom forecasts and real-time tracking, as well as to improve the forecast accuracy and scale. “We approach this in two ways,” said Anderson. “The first is by improving NOAA’s marine forecast models for Lake Erie. This will make it possible to forecast movement of HABs on the scale of a football field level. The second step deals with modeling the algal bloom itself. The aim here is to improve our understanding of where the bloom is, where it is going to go over the next several hours, both horizontally and vertically, three dimensional bloom tracking.”
The period from March 1st through July 31st is known as the loading season and is critical to determining the algal bloom threat for the year. According to NOAA’s June 15th Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin, this year’s blooms are expected to be less severe in part due to relatively dry conditions to-date, which have led to less runoff and lower phosphorous loads into the western basin. Harmful algal blooms cost the U.S. $64 million every year in the form of additional water treatment and the loss of recreational water usage and declining waterfront real estate values.
Audio of the briefing can be found here: https://1.usa.gov/1GbjMdx
Slides used during the briefing can be found here: https://1.usa.gov/1TnV17W
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