{"id":11465,"date":"2019-08-28T15:51:17","date_gmt":"2019-08-28T19:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/news\/?p=11465"},"modified":"2023-10-03T12:31:31","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T16:31:31","slug":"learn-about-algal-blooms-in-northeast-north-carolina","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ncseagrant.ncsu.edu\/learn-about-algal-blooms-in-northeast-north-carolina\/","title":{"rendered":"Learn About Algal Blooms in Northeast North Carolina"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n

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Above: algal bloom, Arrowhead Beach canals. Courtesy N.C. Division of Water Resources<\/em><\/p>\n

Contact:
Katie Mosher, kmosher@ncsu.edu<\/a>, 919-515-9069<\/em><\/p>\n

Algal blooms in northeast North Carolina waters are in the news and generating questions from residents and local officials. The blooms, often containing high levels of toxins, also have been the focus of academic and community research partners, state and federal agencies, and North Carolina Sea Grant.<\/p>\n

While research projects are in progress \u2014 to identify environmental factors that foster the blooms and also to see how toxins may move through the ecosystem and food web \u2014 Sea Grant has updated its Algal Blooms: Things to Know<\/a>\u00a0<\/em>fact sheet that includes a dozen links for online resources, including how to report new blooms.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe also provide basic information about the biology of the blooms and their impacts,\u201d notes Gloria Putnam, Sea Grant\u2019s coastal communities specialist. For example, the text explains:<\/p>\n

Algae are photosynthetic organisms naturally found in aquatic environments. Under the right conditions, they multiply to high concentrations called blooms. Some blooms are blue-green algae capable of producing toxins that can cause skin irritation, illness or in rare instances death in pets, livestock and people. These blooms are known as harmful algal blooms or HABs. <\/em><\/p>\n

The current blooms are not the first in the coastal region, the researchers and resource managers noted in recent forum in Edenton that drew more than 80 people. Historic reports date at least to the 1700s. Significant blooms in the 1980s brought about regulations that limited discharges \u2014 known as point source pollution \u2014 into waterways in northeastern counties, including the Chowan River watershed.<\/p>\n

But the blooms have returned. Since 2015, HABs appear to be on the rise in the Chowan River and Albemarle Sound, and nearby waters. Nutrients continue to flow into the waters from nonpoint sources. Increased water temperatures may also play a part.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2019, some N.C. blooms contained up to 620 ug\/L of microcystin toxin. The World Health Organization considers 20 ug\/L a moderate health risk for swimming. Thus, state agencies issued warnings to avoid contact with the waters.<\/p>\n

Putnam praises the collaborations and community interest that were highlighted at the Edenton meeting. \u201cIt’s encouraging that so many people are seeking answers and raising awareness,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Online Resources:<\/strong><\/h4>\n

The algal blooms fact sheet is available here: go.ncsu.edu\/algal-blooms<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n

Other links include:<\/p>\n