Team Leader
Katie McKibben, Ohio EPA

Background
Like the human body, water bodies require nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, to be healthy. However, too many nutrients can be harmful. Many of our nation's waters, including streams, rivers, wetlands, estuaries, and coastal waters, are affected by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. The effect of excess nutrients in a given water body depends on its ecoregion and the sources of the nutrients.

High levels of nutrients in waters can produce harmful algal blooms. In turn, these blooms can produce "dead zones" in water bodies where dissolved oxygen levels are so low that most aquatic life cannot survive. This condidtion in water bodies is referred to as hypoxia. Some algal blooms contain Microcystis which can produce a toxic, Microcystin, that can affect human and animal health.

Materials
Harmful Algal Blooms in Ohio Waters
National Lakes Survey (2007)

Links
Ohio EPA- Lake Erie Phosphorus Task Force
Ohio EPA - TMDL Program
Ohio EPA - 319 Grants Program
Ohio DNR - Watershed Coordinator Program

Research
Genetic and Environmental Factors Incluencing Microcystis Bloom Toxicity
Microcystis in the Envrinment and its Health Effects
Maumee River Plumes and Microcystis Blooms in Maumee Bay

Funding
Lake Erie Protection Fund
Ohio Sea Grant

Sandusky River sediment plume.