Recent Dreissenid Mussel Colonization may make Lake Winnipeg the Next Lake Erie

Session: Poster session

Katelyn McKindles, Bowling Green State University, [email protected]
George Bullerjahn, Bowling Green State University, [email protected]
Paul Zimba, Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, [email protected]
Alexander Chiu, Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, [email protected]
Susan Watson, University of Waterloo, [email protected]
Danielle Gutierrez, Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University – Corpus Christi, [email protected]
Timothy Davis, Bowling Green State University, [email protected]

Abstract

Lake Winnipeg (Manitoba, Canada), the world’s 12th largest lake by area, is host to yearly cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (cHABs) dominated by Aphanizomenon and Dolicospermum. These cHABs are primarily a result of eutrophication, but may be exacerbated by the recent introduction of dreissenid mussels.  The invasion of dreissenids into Lake Erie has been hypothesized to be one factor promoting the toxic Microcystis blooms currently seen in the western basin. This study defined the baseline composition of a Lake Winnipeg cHAB to measure potential changes due to dreissenid colonization. Surface water samples were collected in 2013 from 23 sites during summer and 18 sites in fall. Gene, ELISA, and MS-cyanotoxin profiles identified microcystins (MC) as the most abundant cyanotoxin across all stations, with MC concentrations highest in the North Basin. In the fall, mcyA genes were sequenced to determine potential MCs production, yielding a mix of both Planktothrix and Microcystis at most sites. Current blooms in Lake Winnipeg produce low levels of MCs, but the capacity to produce cyanotoxins is widespread. If dreissenid mussels continue to colonize Lake Winnipeg, a shift in lake physicochemical properties due to faster water column clearance rates may yield more toxic blooms potentially dominated by Microcystis. 

1. Keyword
Dreissena

2. Keyword
Lake Winnipeg

3. Keyword
Microcystis

4. Additional Keyword
Microcystins