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CASE STUDY: ALGAE BLOOM IN A LAKE
NAME
OBJECTIVES
•
To study the relationship between human behaviors and water quality impairments
that lead to a toxic algal bloom in a lake.
•
To establish the possible cause of the algae bloom
WORK PLAN
To understand the prevailing problem, extensive reading was to be required to identify the
various possibilities. Various test methods will be presented for investigation. The green-blue
color gives a rough idea of the presence of algae in the lake. This rough idea combined with
the description of the locality that has been provided makes it possible to suggest the various
test methods that can be used to identify the problem and state the source of the problem.
This will be done by comparing the dependent and independent variables to establish any
form of relationship. Upon identification of the problem and its source, possible remedies
will be suggested.
RELATED CASE STUDIES
Case 1: St. Marys Lake, Ohio
In 2010, Danny and his wife had gone swimming in St. Marys Lake. They were accompanied
by their Dog. It was during summer. The lake was covered in thick green reeking and slime.
Danny washed the dog and some of the gunk got in his left eye. A week later, Danny fell ill
displaying symptoms such as stomach problems, unable to feel the left side, stomach
problems, slurred speech among others. The eyes of the dog turned yellow and after some
day it died (Marshall 2012).
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It was discovered that the scum that coated the dog during his swim was the cyanobacteria or
blue-green algae. The tests that were conducted detected the presence of neurotoxins and
liver toxins which are secreted by cyanobacteria. The doctor who attended to Danny advised
him that he had been affected by algal toxins which he got exposed to while the dog. The
doctor concluded that Danny had contracted encephalitis from the toxins of algal bloom.
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Case 2: Lake Erie, Ohio
In 2011, Lake Erie was blooms that were record -setting. This lake was used as the source of
drinking water for the City of Toledo (Michalak et al. 2013). The lake water turned bluegreen and it occurred during summer. To treat the lake water, the City of Toledo had to part
with an extra $3000 to $4000 each given day to obtain safe drinking water. Even when the
large bloom cleared, the taste and odor which originated from the non-toxic compounds gave
the water dirty test (Marshall 2012).
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Case 3: Lake Menomin, Wisconsin
In this case, a lady by the name Carol Hake narrates about the unpleasant algae bloom in
Lake Menomin. He notes that there is a stench that comes from the lake. This not only makes
them close the windows but also, they avoid going to the backyard. This is because the
Wisconsin Department of health services raised an alarm that the algae blooms in the lake
were causing health problems to those living close to the lake. A dog was linked to dying
because of this situation. This forced the department to collect air-quality samples to test if
there could be traces of algae particles in the air. The department of health services advised
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people and their pets to keep off the lakes that had been affected by the blue-green algae
(Marshall 2012). The department also noted the possibility of the presence of dried algae
particles in the air which could cause problems once inhaled. However, it highlighted that
ingesting water that had been contaminated with that blue-green algae was more harmful and
could cause serious health issues.
This study relates to the current problem in that the color of the lake water is the same and
they are been experienced during summer.
Summary of the Case Studies
From the ca...