[env-trinity] Klamath River Below Irongate Reservoir: Toxigenic Cyanobacteria Results from Aquatic Ecosystems Sciences LLC

Thu Sep 8 11:21:58 PDT 2005

aquatic ecosystem sciences llc

jacob kann, Ph.D.

president/aquatic ecologist

295 East Main St., Suite 7

Ashland, OR 97520

Voice: 541-482-1575

Fax: 541-552-1024

Email: jacobkann at aol.com <mailto:jacobkann at aol.com> 

September 1, 2005

Memo:  Klamath River Below Irongate Reservoir: Toxigenic Cyanobacteria
Results

To:  Karuk Tribe/SWRCB/NCRWQCB

To all concerned:

Recently received phytoplankton data from August 24th and 25th show that
toxigenic Microcystis aeruginosa (MSAE) is present in the Klamath River
downstream of Irongate reservoir.  Although toxigenic MSAE has been
documented in Copco and Irongate reservoirs, this is the first evidence
I am aware of, of this species extending downstream on the Klamath
River.

Laboratory (analyzed by Aquatic Analysts; White Salmon WA) results for 3
stations are attached below.  Two of the samples (stations K1054P9 and
K2054P9) were collected by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (Paul
Zedonis; Arcata Office), and the third (KRBI) was collected as part of
the ongoing Karuk/EPA reservoir water quality study.

Stations arranged upstream to downstream (Figure 1) are KRBI (located
just below Irongate Dam), K1054P9 (located just above the confluence
with the Shasta River), and K2054P9 (located just above the confluence
with the Scott River ~46 miles downstream from Irongate Dam)  MSAE
results are as follows:

KRBI              24,429 cells/ml MSAE

K1054P9         39,743 cells/ml MSAE

K2054P9         27,969 cells/ml MSAE

While these results are 2.5 to 4x lower than the WHO moderate risk level
of 100,000 cells/ml, they do exceed the WHO low risk level of 20,000
cells/ml.  Moreover, the stations are representative of mixed river
conditions and not near-shore or backwater areas.  There is a likelihood
that blooms will recur in backwater areas, side channels, or as velocity
and mixing decrease downstream.  These data provide evidence that MSAE
can survive at least ~46 miles downstream of Irongate Dam.

Again, for recreational bathing waters a moderate risk level is given as
50 mg/L chlorophyll a, 100,000 cells/ml or 20 mg/L microcystin in the
top 4 meters of surface waters by documents published for the World
Health Organization (WHO) and EPA (Falconer el al. 1999; Chorus and
Cavalieri 2000).  

Due to the patchy nature of blue-green algal blooms it is possible for
higher Microcystis aeruginosa densities (and therefore higher
microcystin toxin concentrations) to be present in other locations,
particularly along shorelines or protected coves during calm conditions
of little to no wind.  Recreational users should always avoid contact
with water whenever noticeable surface concentrations of algae are
evident or when the lake has an obvious green to blue-green appearance.
Moreover, because pets or other domestic animals are the most likely to
ingest contaminated water, these animals should not be allowed access to
the lakeshore whenever either noticeable surface concentrations of algae
or an obvious green to blue-green appearance is evident.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Jacob Kann, Ph.D.

Aquatic Ecologist

Falconer et al. 1999.  Safe levels and safe practices.  Pages 155-177
in: I. Chorus and J. Bartram, editors.  Toxic Cyanobacteria in water:  a
guide to their public health consequences.  World Health Organization
Report.  E & FN Spon, London and New York.

Chorus, I, and M. Cavalieri.  2000.   Cyanobacteria and algae.  Pages
219-271 in: J. Bartram and G Rees, editors.  Monitoring Bathing Waters:
a practical guide to the design and implementation of assessments and
monitoring programmes.  World Health Organization Report.  E & FN Spon,
London and New York.

WHO 1998.  Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality.  Second Ed. Addendum
to Vol. 2, Health Criteria and Other Supporting Information.  World
Health Organization, Geneva.

Figure 1.  Location of Klamath River Toxigenic Cyanobacteria Samples,
August 24-25, 2005.

                                        Phytoplankton Sample Analysis

Sample: 

Klamath River

Sample Station: 

KRBI

Sample Depth: 

0C

Sample Date: 

25-Aug-05

Total Density (#/mL): 

489

Total Biovolume (um3/mL):              

243,026

Trophic State Index: 

39.7

Density

Density

Biovolume

Biovolume

Species

#/mL

Percent

um3/mL

Percent

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Microcystis aeruginosa

244

50.0

195,433

80.4

2

Nitzschia palea

100

20.5

18,040

7.4

3

Cocconeis placentula

38

7.7

17,288

7.1

4

Nitzschia paleacea

25

5.1

2,455

1.0

5

Ankistrodesmus falcatus

19

3.8

470

0.2

6

Nitzschia frustulum

13

2.6

2,255

0.9

7

Gomphonema angustatum

13

2.6

2,255

0.9

8

Rhodomonas minuta

13

2.6

251

0.1

9

Rhoicosphenia curvata

6

1.3

733

0.3

10

Nitzschia amphibia

6

1.3

1,203

0.5

11

Nitzschia fonticola

6

1.3

263

0.1

12

Cyclotella meneghiniana

6

1.3

2,380

1.0

Microcystis aeruginosa cells/mL =

24,429

Aquatic Analysts

Sample ID: 

 JH44

                                        Phytoplankton Sample Analysis

Sample: 

K105 4P9

Sample Station: 

Sample Depth: 

Sample Date: 

24-Aug-05

Total Density (#/mL): 

1,106

Total Biovolume (um3/mL):              

608,893

Trophic State Index: 

46.3

Density

Density

Biovolume

Biovolume

Species

#/mL

Percent

um3/mL

Percent

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Microcystis aeruginosa

397

35.9

317,946

52.2

2

Cocconeis placentula

346

31.3

174,870

28.7

3

Navicula cryptocephala veneta

78

7.0

7,387

1.2

4

Nitzschia palea

60

5.5

10,886

1.8

5

Nitzschia frustulum

43

3.9

8,294

1.4

6

Nitzschia paleacea

17

1.6

1,693

0.3

7

Nitzschia amphibia

17

1.6

4,147

0.7

8

Rhoicosphenia curvata

17

1.6

2,022

0.3

9

Diatoma vulgare

17

1.6

33,868

5.6

10

Nitzschia dissipata

9

0.8

2,324

0.4

11

Amphora perpusilla

9

0.8

1,434

0.2

12

Navicula tripunctata

9

0.8

9,677

1.6

13

Nitzschia sp.

9

0.8

1,037

0.2

14

Synedra ulna

9

0.8

17,193

2.8

15

Navicula cryptocephala

9

0.8

1,598

0.3

16

Nitzschia innominata

9

0.8

415

0.1

17

Navicula sp.

9

0.8

1,296

0.2

18

Gomphonema angustatum

9

0.8

1,555

0.3

19

Nitzschia fonticola

9

0.8

363

0.1

20

Cyclotella meneghiniana

9

0.8

3,283

0.5

21

Gomphonema subclavatum

9

0.8

5,184

0.9

22

Cocconeis klamathensis

9

0.8

2,419

0.4

Microcystis aeruginosa cells/mL =

39,743

Aquatic Analysts

Sample ID: 

 JM48

                                        Phytoplankton Sample Analysis

Sample: 

K205 4P9

Sample Station: 

Sample Depth: 

Sample Date: 

24-Aug-05

Total Density (#/mL): 

1,189

Total Biovolume (um3/mL):              

619,268

Trophic State Index: 

46.4

Density

Density

Biovolume

Biovolume

Species

#/mL

Percent

um3/mL

Percent

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

Cocconeis placentula

489

41.2

225,150

36.4

2

Microcystis aeruginosa

280

23.5

223,752

36.1

3

Navicula cryptocephala veneta

128

10.8

12,178

2.0

4

Nitzschia paleacea

47

3.9

4,568

0.7

5

Nitzschia frustulum

35

2.9

4,195

0.7

6

Navicula tripunctata

35

2.9

39,157

6.3

7

Navicula cryptocephala

35

2.9

6,468

1.0

8

Cocconeis pediculus

23

2.0

12,120

2.0

9

Diatoma vulgare

12

1.0

22,841

3.7

10

Nitzschia palea

12

1.0

2,098

0.3

11

Synedra ulna

12

1.0

46,382

7.5

12

Gomphonema angustatum

12

1.0

2,098

0.3

13

Nitzschia microcephala

12

1.0

1,165

0.2

14

Achnanthes minutissima

12

1.0

583

0.1

15

Stephanodiscus astraea minutula

12

1.0

4,079

0.7

16

Melosira varians

12

1.0

7,575

1.2

17

Nitzschia amphibia

12

1.0

2,238

0.4

18

Gomphonema olivaceum

12

1.0

2,622

0.4

Microcystis aeruginosa cells/mL =

27,969

Aquatic Analysts

Sample ID: 

 JM44

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