Toxic Algae in Lake Erie – There Appears to be More Questions Than Answers
A Review of “Huge toxic algae bloom expected for Lake Erie: Blue-green algae feeding off phosphorus from farm fertilizer that runs into lake”

INTRODUCTION Blue-green algae blooms continue to be a problem for the ecosystem of Lake Erie and Raj Bejankiwar, a scientist with the International Joint Commission, estimates that there is a 99% chance that algae will once again be an issue this summer. Blue-green algae remove the oxygen from the lake, which contributes to the deaths of other plant and animal life in the lake. Blue-green algae require phosphorus to survive and thrive, and phosphorus has become increasingly available due to the use of large amounts of fertilizer on farms and the subsequent run-off that enters Lake Erie. It is important for farmers to use soil tests and do as much as possible to retain the phosphorus in their soil with minimal leakage. However without laws in place, it is up to individual farmers to decide how they will contribute to decreasing the phosphorus waste. The article’s objective is to provide information on the cause of the blue-green algae boom and indicate certain ways to reduce the excess phosphorus that contributes to the large amount of algae in Lake Erie.
REVIEW
The article, targeted at a general audience, provided the basic information on the issue of blue-green algae and their necessary food source of phosphorus, focusing on fertilizer as the primary cause of excess phosphorus in Lake Erie. The strengths of the article included that it was easy to follow and understand, and it intrigued my interest as a reader. The use of sources such as professor O’Halloran and scientist Raj Bejankiwar added credibility to the information on provided. Furthermore, providing a farmer’s opinion added to an understanding of the use of phosphorus, and the difficulty with controlling its levels. Finally, having the video from the Windsor-Essex County Environment Committee at the conclusion of the article provided information in visual format, which was a positive contribution to the material presented. Despite the strengths in the presentation of information and readability of the article, it left me wondering if there was more to the story than what was told. The article begins with implicating framer’s fertilizer as a major part of the cause of the algae blooms that starve the lake of oxygen. But perhaps we should not be so quick to entirely blame the farmers for the amount of phosphorus in Lake Erie. While the article mentions some common sources of phosphorus, the article does not elude to the complexity of the issue of phosphorus excess. Reading it, and watching the Essex video that is presented at the end of the article suggests a tone of simplicity, and easy fixes to a major problem. However, I am sure there are far deeper economical and environmental issues at the root of the phosphorus excess, and the solutions must keep these aspects in mind. Furthermore, before discussing solutions, an understanding of the problems the large amounts of algae are causing can provide insight into how to control these blooms. Are all algae toxic, and what does “toxic” actually mean? Although Raj Bejankiwar indicated there is a “99% chance” that there would be a large bloom this summer, there is no explanation to how this fact was investigated. The article provided minimal detail into why/how algae blooms are problematic and did not provide enough information into the causes of the toxicity in Lake Erie. With this, in my opinion the article provided a largely superficial, singular view into an issue that has far more complexity and depth than indicated. I found myself left with more questions than answers, however my curiosity was intrigued.
DISCUSSION
As I previously mentioned, it is important to provide a deeper understanding of the reasons why phosphorus excess, and subsequent toxic algae blooms, are problematic before implicating the cause or suggesting solutions. Furthermore, not all algae are toxic; in fact some are beneficial to ecosystems. However certain types of blue-green algae like Microcystis and other species can produce toxins that are harmful to both humans and animals alike. The toxins, for example cylindrospermopsin and microcystin, produced by harmful algae blooms can cause symptoms in humans such as vomiting, enlarged liver, and respiratory failure in extreme cases (Center for Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health 2013). The toxicity to fish and aquatic organisms can be fatal but actually arises when the algae die. The algae sinks to the lake bottom and while decaying they starve the water of oxygen, resulting in the death of many organisms living in Lake Erie (Environment Canada 2013). The causes of the phosphorus excess are also not as simple as the CBC article may have you believe. Environment Canada understands that the excess phosphorus in the Great Lakes, particularly Lake Erie, is a complex and multidimensional problem with no simple solution. In fact there are many contributors to the blue-green algae blooms, and the blame does not fall entirely on the farmers. Climate change, urbanization and the introduction of non-native species into the Great Lakes has contributed to the excess algal growth. The non-native invasive organisms especially alter the food web and adjust the forms of nutrients available to blue-green algae. With the complexity of the causes of the phosphorus excess, solutions will not simply fall on farmer’s shoulder’s to reduce their phosphorus leakage. Further research and nutrient management program implementation are essential to ensure that the phosphorus levels decrease. The government recognizes this and it is estimated that approximately $16 million dollars has been contributed to the future of nutrient waste management research in Canada (Borre 2013).
CONCLUSION
CBC’s article provided readers an introduction to the issues regarding phosphorus levels in Lake Erie, and their contribution as nutrients to toxic blue-green algae blooms. The cause of phosphorus level increases was largely attributed to farmer’s fertilizers and the information was presented in a concise manner providing basic information with expert opinions. Although there was an introduction to the issues surrounding blue-algae blooms in Lake Erie, the article did not provide details into the other causes of phosphorus in the lake, nor did it acknowledge the incredible complexity to finding and implementing practical solutions. Therefore, I was forced to search for myself for the answers to the many questions this article left me with, for example how toxic is toxic blue-green algae, what are the other causes of phosphorus entering the lake, and what are we doing about it? The answers are not simple, climate change and urbanization are among other causes of phosphorus levels increase besides farm fertilizers, and the solutions must take into account a number of socio-economic factors. The government recognizes the complexity, and a large amount of money has been dedicated to nutrient waste management research.

LITERATURE CITED
Borre, L. Harmful Algae Blooms Plague Lake Erie Again: Water Currents, 2013.[Internet]. [cited 2013 May 23] Available from: http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/2013/04/24/harmful-algae-blooms-plague-lake-erie-again/ CBC News: Huge toxic algae bloom expected for Lake Erie: Blue-green algae feeding off phosphorus from farm fertilizer that runs into lake [Internet] [cited 2013 May 24]. Available from: http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/story/2013/04/29/wdr-algae-bloom-predicted-lake-erie.html Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health (NOAA): Harmful Algae Blooms Fact Sheet [Internet] [cited 2013 May 23]NOAA Center of Excellence for Great Lakes and Human Health ■ 4840 S. State Rd. Ann Arbor, MI 48108 ■ 734-741-2235 Available from: http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pubs/brochures/bluegreenalgae_factsheet.pdf Environment Canada: Phosphorus and Excess Algal Growth [Internet] [cited 2013 May 22nd] Available from:
http://www.ec.gc.ca/grandslacs-greatlakes/default.asp?lang=En&n=6201FD24-1