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Variation of Microcystin Concentrations in Fish Related to Algae Blooms in Lake Erie, and Public Health Impacts

Wituszynski, David Michael
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406224138

Abstract Details

2014, Master of Science, Ohio State University, Food, Agricultural and Biological Engineering.
Lake Erie is an important economic and cultural resource that is threatened by recurring blooms of cyanobacteria which produce toxins such as microcystin (MC). This potent liver toxin, which has been linked to human and animal illness and death, has been found in fish from Lake Erie, sometimes in excess of World Health Organization guidelines for safe consumption. Even so, few studies have examined the variation of MC concentrations in fish within Lake Erie, and these past studies have derived conflicting results as to the risk these concentrations pose to public health. This uncertainty likely exists because of the extremely variable nature of the algae blooms from year to year, and because of the different species on which each study has focused. To address this gap in knowledge, I used ELISA to analyze the toxin content of muscle tissue from three of the most commonly harvested sport and commercial fish in Lake Erie: Walleye (Sander vitreus, n=33), Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens, n=52), and White Perch (Monroe Americana, n=55). Additionally, remote sensing was used to compare toxin concentration to bloom conditions at the time of harvest. Results demonstrated that toxin concentrations in walleye (mean = 85 ng MC / g wet weight), white perch (mean = 37 ng MC / g), and yellow perch (mean = 8.1 ng MC / g) were significantly different. This variation is possibly because of differences in feeding habits among these species. MC concentrations in white perch were sensitive to bloom conditions, whereas those in walleye and yellow perch were not. While few of the fish harvested for this study exceeded WHO levels of MC established for safe consumption, results indicate that more intense blooms in the future may increase MC in fish to levels that are a threat to public health.
Jay Martin (Advisor)
Jiyoung Lee (Committee Member)
Stuart Ludsin (Committee Member)
59 p.
Aquatic Sciences; Ecology; Environmental Science; Freshwater Ecology; Natural Resource Management; Public Health; Toxicology; Water Resource Management
Microcystin; Lake Erie; Algae Blooms; Public Health; Fish

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Wituszynski, D. M. (2014). Variation of Microcystin Concentrations in Fish Related to Algae Blooms in Lake Erie, and Public Health Impacts [Master's thesis, Ohio State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406224138

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Wituszynski, David. Variation of Microcystin Concentrations in Fish Related to Algae Blooms in Lake Erie, and Public Health Impacts. 2014. Ohio State University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406224138.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Wituszynski, David. "Variation of Microcystin Concentrations in Fish Related to Algae Blooms in Lake Erie, and Public Health Impacts." Master's thesis, Ohio State University, 2014. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=osu1406224138

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

osu1406224138
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