Researchers in Alberta are closely monitoring blue-green algae, and now the public can easily track these toxic algal blooms at six lakes through a newly launched website called the Algal Bloom Tracker. This online tool utilizes satellite imagery and lake sampling to provide near real-time updates on the status of the blooms, accessible through a user-friendly map.
Rolf Vinebrooke, an aquatic ecology professor at the University of Alberta and one of the project’s researchers, explained that the map gets updated regularly as satellites pass over the lakes in Alberta, capturing images of the water. This technology allows for a comprehensive view of the entire lake, enabling users to identify the nature of the blooms and avoid affected areas.
Blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can proliferate in Alberta lakes during the summer, posing health risks due to the production of toxins that can harm liver tissue and interfere with nerve impulses. Vinebrooke emphasized the dynamic nature of these blooms, which can appear and disappear rapidly. The satellite monitoring system offers a more efficient way to track these developments compared to traditional sampling methods.
The Algal Bloom Tracker currently focuses on six lakes, including Ethel Lake, Lac La Biche, Nakamun Lake, Pigeon Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Wabamun Lake. These lakes were selected to represent a range of bloom frequencies, from rarely affected lakes like Sylvan Lake to those with frequent blooms like Lac La Biche. The team aims to expand the tracker to include around 50 lakes across Alberta in the next three years.
When an excessive amount of blue-green algae is detected in a lake, Alberta Health Services issues health advisories to warn the public. Currently, there are over 25 advisories in effect across the province, urging people to avoid contact with affected water bodies. The Algal Bloom Tracker operates independently from these official advisories but serves as a valuable tool for individuals to make informed decisions about recreational activities.
The project also seeks to enhance understanding of algal blooms and their impacts, acknowledging the negative consequences on recreation, tourism, property values, and Indigenous communities in Alberta. By providing crucial information on the occurrence and causes of harmful algal blooms, the Algal Bloom Tracker aims to support scientists, policymakers, residents, and recreational lake users in mitigating these environmental challenges.
