Researchers in Alberta are closely monitoring blue-green algae, and the public now has access to real-time tracking through a newly launched website. The Algal Bloom Tracker allows users to monitor toxic algal blooms at six lakes using satellite imagery and lake sampling. Rolf Vinebrooke, an aquatic ecology professor at the University of Alberta and one of the project’s researchers, explains that the website updates its map regularly by capturing images of the lakes using satellites passing over Alberta.
These algal blooms, also known as cyanobacteria, can be harmful as they produce toxins that pose health risks, including liver damage and neurological issues. Vinebrooke emphasizes the dynamic nature of these blooms, which can appear and disappear within days. The satellite technology enables closer monitoring compared to traditional sampling methods.
The tracker, currently a prototype developed since 2017, covers six lakes: Ethel Lake, Lac La Biche, Nakamun Lake, Pigeon Lake, Sylvan Lake, and Wabamun Lake. These lakes were selected to represent varying bloom frequencies, from rarely blooming Sylvan Lake to frequently affected Lac La Biche. The team plans to expand the tracker to around 50 lakes across Alberta in the next three years.
When blue-green algae levels exceed safe limits, Alberta Health Services issues health advisories, with over 25 advisories currently in effect across the province. The public is advised to avoid contact with affected water bodies to prevent health issues. The Algal Bloom Tracker operates separately from AHS and is a tool to help the public make informed decisions about water activities.
The website aims to improve understanding of algal blooms and their impacts on recreation, tourism, property values, and Indigenous communities in Alberta. By monitoring the occurrence and reasons for harmful algal blooms, stakeholders can make informed decisions to mitigate risks.