 As
an environmental emergency response contractor, ERS, Inc. has responded to many varied
release scenarios, but this summer has provided us some very unusual situations. On July
17, 2001, we were mobilized by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources to a possible
petroleum release into Cedarville Reservoir, which happens to be the drinking water supply
for the City of Fort Wayne. Absorbent booms were deployed at strategic locations to
contain the "release". After much investigation and discussions, it was
determined the "petroleum release" was actually an algae bloom. Constant winds
form the Southwest had pushed the decomposing material against the shoreline, and the
material did resemble heavy oil. Nature was allowed to take its course, and the bloom
decomposed with no threat to fish, wildlife or humans. On September 5, 2001, ERS again
mobilized to a local POTW, where an influent pond showed evidence of a release. The
vibrant blue-green color had local officials fearing a complete upset of their wastewater
treatment facility. Long hours and much sampling later, this "release" was
determined to be a blue-green algae bloom, and presented no real threat to the POTW. There
have been no less than five of these types of "releases" reported across the
State, which turned out to be naturally occurring phenomenon, including a blue-green algae
bloom (Cylindrospermopsis) in Ball Lake that was toxic enough to warrant closure of the
lake. Dr. Gwen White of the IDNR theorizes that the mild winters of the past few years,
and low water levels, have contributed to the unique biology that led to these blooms,
which generally occur during periods of warm, calm weather in lakes with little or no
flow. The discovery of these organisms is very surprising since Cylindrospermopsis is a
thought to be a subtropic-loving organism, originally found in Australia and recently in
Florida.
Most of these "releases" were reported by the general public, and when
reported were a legitimate cause for concern. However, it seems Mother Nature throws us a
curve periodically, just to remind us that we do not, nor will we ever, completely
understand or control her timeless rhythms.
Thanks to Dr. Gwen White, Indiana Department of Natural Resources, and Jed Pearson,
Fisheries Biologist with IDNR at the Tri-Lakes Fisheries Station, for their information
and help in understanding this phenomenon. |
