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.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.