Harmful algal bloom (HAB) intensity and frequency is increasing across freshwater lakes nationally, including the Great Lakes, raising many questions regarding impacts on human health. While wave breaking aerosolization of toxins from oceanic red tides have been identified as a route of inhalation exposure, aerosolization of toxins from freshwater HABs has been minimally studied. In this study, lake spray aerosols (LSA) from freshwater HAB samples and toxin standards were generated in the laboratory to determine if organic matter, specifically toxins, were generated by bubble bursting indicative of wave breaking. LSA was made from ambient freshwater samples collected at various time points during a HAB and with varying levels of biological activity. By comparing the size and chemical composition of LSA generated from various Great Lake HAB sampling sites to algal toxin standards, the relationship between freshwater and aerosol toxicity for freshwater HABs was explored. These results represent a first step towards connecting HABs to health effects. Future efforts will investigate the chemical properties, fate, and transport of aerosolized freshwater HAB toxins as this has potential to affect a portion of the 30 million people that live near the Great Lakes and regional climate.<br/>

Incorporation of organic matter into freshwater aerosol: Emissions from harmful algal blooms and impacts on health and climate

2019 Fall National Meeting

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