8 May 2024

Management Strategy for Overwintering Cyanobacteria in Sediments Contributing to Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

Purpose: Cyanobacteria that cause harmful algal blooms (HABs) can overwinter in sediments as resting cells (akinetes or vegetative colonies) and contribute to seasonal bloom resurgences. However, to date there has been limited focus on management tactics specifically targeting the control of cyanobacterial sources from sediments. Targeting resting cells in sediments for preventative management may provide a viable approach to delay onset and mitigate blooms (Calomeni et al. 2022). However, there are limited resources for this novel strategy. Given the growing global impact of HABs, there is a need to develop management strategies focused on sediments as a potential source and contributor to HABs. Therefore, the objective of this report is to provide a management strategy in terms of approaches, information, and case study examples for managing overwintering cyanobacteria in sediments with the goal of mitigating seasonal HAB occurrences.

6 Feb 2024

USACE Freshwater Harmful Algal Bloom Research and Development Initiative

Abstract: Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) represent a significant and costly threat to our nation’s economy and natural resources. This report outlines the US Army Corps of Engineers, Engineer Research and Development Center’s (USACE-ERDC’s) approach to deliver scalable technologies for prevention, early detection, and management of HABs to reduce HAB event frequency, severity, and duration.

18 Apr 2022

Sustainable Harmful Algal Bloom Mitigation by 3D Printed Photocatalytic Oxidation Devices (3D-PODs)

Abstract: The impacts of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB), often caused by cyanobacteria (Figure 1), on water resources are increasing. Innovative solutions for treatment of HABs and their associated toxins are needed to mitigate these impacts and decrease risks without introducing persistent legacy contaminants that cause collateral ecosystem impacts. This technical note (TN) identifies novel opportunities enabled by Additive Manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, to produce high surface area advanced material composites to rapidly prototype sustainable environmental solutions for aquatic nuisance species control. This innovative research explores deployment of 3D-printable polymer composite structures containing nano-scale photocatalysts for targeted open water treatment of HABs that are customizable to the site-of-concern and also retrievable, reusable, and sustainable. The approach developed to control cyanobacteria HAB events has the potential to augment or replace broadcast, non-specific chemical controls that otherwise put non-target species and ecological resources at long-term risk. It can also augment existing UV-treatment HAB treatment control measures. The expected research outcome is a novel, effective, and sustainable HAB management tool for the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and resource managers to deploy in their HAB rapid response programs. The research will provide a framework for scale-up into other manufacturing methods (e.g., injection molding) to produce the devices in bulk (quickly and efficiently). Research for this project title “Mitigation of Harmful Algal Bloom Toxins using 3D Printed Photocatalytic Materials (FY21-23)” was sponsored by the US Army Engineer Research Development Center’s (ERDC) Aquatic Nuisance Species Research Program (ANSRP).

30 Jul 2021

Cyanobacteria Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) and US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC): Research and Services

Abstract: This factsheet details the research and services available from the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center–Environmental Laboratory’s Harmful Algal Blooms team.