Toxic Algae Beware, Aquatechnex receives first Phoslock Permit in WA

Cyanobacteria blooms have plagued western waters for a number of years,  Each year agencies such as the Washington Department of Health close lakes because of the presences of the toxins these algae species produce.  This year this trend has started early, for example the 73 acre lake in Anderson Lake State Park was posted as closed two weeks ago in early May.  Generally this happens later in the year.

The strategies many groups use are reactive, treating algae blooms with EPA registered algaecides.  Phoslock is a proactive strategy.  This technology was developed by the Australian National Science Academy and has been used commercially throughout the world since 2000.  The material is made up of two rare earth elements and is applied to the lake surface.  As the material settles through the water column it binds and sequesters free reactive phosphorus.  As it reaches the lake bottom, it forms a blanket a few millimeters thick that continues to grab and sequester phosphorus that mobilizes from the lake sediments.  The phosphorus and Ploslock actually form a new compound that is insoluble and this technology deactivates phosphorus forever.   Removing phosphorus reduces the carrying capacity of a lake to produce problem algae blooms.  These single celled organisms need to obtain the nutrients they need from the water column.  In addition. blue green algae or cyanobacteria thrive in waters with a high N to P ratio, removing phosphorus shifts the competitive advantage back toward beneficial green algae species and away from toxin producing blue-greens.

In many Western States, toxic algae blooms are prevalent.  Washington State’s Department of Ecology has completed the first permit to apply this material to waters of the state.  Aquatechnex biologists applied for this permit to support one of our clients in suburban Seattle.  This lake system receives stormwater from the surrounding watershed and has been degrading each year because of high phosphorus levels.  The application will be made in the coming weeks and we will post updates as this happens.

New Technology for Algae Control and Phosphorus Reduction

SeCLEAR is a new recently approved EPA registered combination algae control and phosphorus removal technology in one package.  Using SeCLEAR over the course of the summer to target problem algae will provide both rapid knock down but also sequester phosphorus, the driving force in causing major algae problems.  For more information click on this link    SeClear AquaTechnex

New Eurasian Milfoil Survey Tool

Aquatechnex deployed a new hydro-acoustic scientific echosounder with software to collect aquatic plant percent cover and plant height on Union Bay in Lake Washington this week.  Union Bay will be treated with Sonar Aquatic Herbicide to target extensive stands of Eurasian Milfoil and Brazilian Elodea that have plagued the residents of this area for years.  The Save Union Bay Association received a grant from the Washington Department of Ecology to fund this operation and the treatments will begin in approximately two weeks.

Aquatic plant surveys are always challenging.  There are a number of different techniques that can be used and each has advantages and limitations.  The Point Intercept system for example does and excellent job of documenting aquatic plant species occurance and density at the point surveyed and over time returning to that point will show changes that can result from management efforts.  The spaces between points however are unknown and that can lead to issues.

This technology allows the operator to rapidly collect an extensive data set.  This site is approximately 250 acres in size and these 40 transects were collected in about 4 hours.  Each transect is sampled at one second intervals and the software outputs bathymetry, sediment or substrate type, aquatic plant percent cover and aquatic plant height.  These transects can be repeated post treatment and compared to document exact change in the aquatic plant communities.

We look forward to using this technology on a number of other projects this summer to gain a better understanding of aquatic plant beds and the results of management efforts.

Lake Minnetonka Eurasian Milfoil Program a Success

In 2007, the Lake Minnetonka Association hosted Aquatechnex biologists to review a number of locations where they wanted to implement a Eurasian Milfoil control program, present information to the locak Television Media and take part in a panel presentation on what has worked elsewhere.  Over 300 people heard our message on technologies that have eradicated Eurasian Milfoil from Northwest Lake Systems and they used this event as a catalist to move forward with research and operational projects.

Here is Dick Osgood’s address on the state of the lake, good info on their progress http://lakeminnetonka.patch.com/articles/state-of-lake-minnetonka

Montana Eurasian Milfoil Control

Aquatechnex is pleased to announce the opening of our Missoula, Montana Field Office.  Our firm is the leader in the control of Eurasian Milfoil and other invasive aquatic species.  We perform detailed mapping surveys using a number of technologies (see ESRI Article http://aquatechnex.wordpress.com/2011/09/19/esri-publishes-article-on-aquatechnex-aquatic-plant-mapping-technology/)  We have been providing services throughout the Northwest since 1984 to target noxious invasive aquatic weeds and have pioneered many of the technologies that have improved control in flowing waters systems.  Our blog archived have information on a number of these projects, enter milfoil in the search box on the right and you can view these.

We can be reached at 406-549-2257.  Please give us a ring if you have any questions.

Orange County (CA) Parks Department Wins Statewide Award for Our Lake Management Program

In 2010, Orange County issued an RFP for management the lake systems in nine regional parks throughout the County.  Aquatechnex interviewed for and was selected as the most qualified consultant to take on this mission.

This month, the OC Parks Department was presented with the Award of Excellence in the Park and Facility Management category by the California Parks and Recreation Society.  Many of the lakes in these parts were built decades ago and provide fishing and other recreational opportunities.  Our efforts helped them lower their costs, decrease complaints about water quality, improve habitat and increase the public’s enjoyment of their facilities.

The OC County Connection newsletter for March has an article on this, see link and page one http://www.ocgov.com/press/pdf/mar12.pdf

 

UF’s new publication on Hydrilla Management

Here is a very good resource that the University of Florida just issued.  If you go to http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ag370 you can give it a read or download the pdf from the UF web site.

Job Announcement

Aquatechnex is looking to hire an entry level aquatic biologists to work with our expanding client base in Southern California.  This job would entail travel to and review of our clients lakes, noting water quality conditions and training on the prescription and application of corrective measures where necessary.  Over time we would expect this person to take on a more active roll in client relationship management.  Please send a resume to ian@aquatechnex.com  We would also appreciate anyone interested passing this on.  Thank you for your consideration.

APMS announces $40K Granduate Student Research Grant

This announcement from the Aquatic Plant Management Society notifies the public about a grant opportunity we have offered as a Society for a number of years.  A graduate student research grant in the area of aquatic plant management and ecology is being offered by the Aquatic Plant Management Society’s research and education organization.  Co-sponsors of this academic award may also include regional APMS chapters:  Florida, MidSouth, Midwest, Northeast, South Carolina, Texas and Western.

Objective:  To provide a grant for a full-time graduate student to conduct research in an area involving aquatic plant management techniques (used alone or integrated with other management approaches) or in aquatic ecology related to the biology or management of regionally or nationally recognized nuisance aquatic vegetation.

Applicants:  Solicitation for proposals is open to any full-time faculty member and/or graduate student of an accredited U.S. academic institution.  A faculty sponsor must be identified if the application is submitted by a graduate student.

Amount:  $40,000 (it is the policy of APMS not to pay overhead or indirect costs).

Duration:  Two (2) years ($20,000 per year).

Proposal Deadline:  Applications must be postmarked no later than April 15th, 2012.

Guidelines for Proposals:  Proposals should contain a concise statement of the project, including its purpose and justification, as well as sections that discuss study objectives, methodology, schedule, budget, and planned publication of results.  The resumé of the faculty applicant and graduate student (if known) should not exceed two (2) pages each.  Proposals should not exceed ten (10) pages, and must be signed by the applicant (principal investigator) and an appropriate university official.  Include copies of your five (5) most recent peer reviewed publications.  Please submit a pdf file of your full application via email to Dr. Michael D. Netherland at mdnether@ufl.edu.

Award:  Notification of award will be provided to the faculty member in time to make arrangements to attend the APMS 52^nd Annual Meeting (July22 to 25, 2012 – Salt Lake City, UT).  Formal announcement of the recipient will be made at the annual meeting, with initiation of the stipend scheduled for the 2013-2014 academic year.  Payments will be made before January 31^st of each year.

Requirements:  Semi-annual progress reports must be submitted to APMS prior June 30^th and December 31^st for each year of the grant.  The faculty member and student must participate in at least one annual APMS Board of Directors meeting and attend the annual APMS meeting.  The student must present results of the funded research at least one time over the duration of the grant, although it is preferred that presentations are made annually.  Upon completion, a final report must be submitted to APMS.

Inquiries: Dr. Michael D. Netherland, US Army ERDC, 7922 NW 71^st Street,  Gainesville, FL 32653

Phone – 352-392-0335 and e-mail -  mdnether@ufl.edu

Does Tap Water Cause Lou Gehrig’s ALS Disease?

This article discussed potential long term impacts of cyanobacteria/toxic blue green algae in potable water reservoirs.  While it has long been know that these micro-organisms produce toxins that can impact human health and safety, there may be longer term impacts as well.  We will be following this and  want to remind people that we have tools to proactively deal with these problems.  http://www.miller-mccune.com/health/was-lou-gehrigs-als-caused-by-tap-water-38804/

Blue Water Satellite technology helps us detect, quantify and map cyanobacteria in lake and reservoir systems.  Phoslock is a new technology that removes phosphorus from lake and reservoir systems changing the nitrogen/phosphorus ratio and limiting the carrying capacity of a lake to support toxic algae growth.  For more information, tmcnabb@aquatechnex.com.