September 23, 2005 Drought conditions affecting water quality, salinity distributions in mainstem Chesapeake Bay and tributaries; upper Transquaking River bloom declines with increased salinity this week.

Data collected this summer throughout Marylands long-term water quality monitoring network shows above average salinities continuing into September as waters begin to cool down for the year (Figure 1). Visit Maryland Department of Natural Resources Eyes on the Bay website for additional monitoring information on water quality conditions around the Chesapeake and Coastal Bays. River flows into Chesapeake Bay have tended to be below average in 2005 ( https://md.water.usgs.gov/monthly/bay.html ) providing an opportunity for more saline waters to flow farther up the tributaries and mainstem Bay.

Transquaking River, Dorchester County.
Water samples collected on September 21st at Transquaking bridge and Decoursey Road bridge showed elevated salinities (5-8ppt) and reduced diversity in the species composition of the cyanobacteria (also called blue-green algae). Lyngbya and Pseudanabaena remained common but declined from the previous sampling period and many species of concern were absent (Table 1).

Table 1. Cyanobacteria concentrations from samples collected from the upper Transquaking River at Drawbridge Road bridge and Decoursey Road bridge locations. (MD DNR provisional results).

On September 12th, total cell densities among cyanobacteria (often called blue-green algae) exceeded 1 million cells per milliliter in places along the upper Transquaking River, west of Cambridge, MD, between Higgens Mill Pond dam and Decoursey Road bridge (Figure 2, Table 1). Potentially harmful effects of the bloom on the river are being investigated in this region. Elevated concentrations of Microcystis, Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Aphanizomenon, Anabaenopsis, Lyngbya have been identified and an important new species of concern to the region Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii is present helping color the water deep green to brown-green.

There is no indication of toxic algal activity present at this time. Water samples from the river are being surveyed for possible toxins that may be associated with these species with the laboratory work of Dr. Wayne Carmichael, Wright State University and Dr. Greg Boyer, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Citizens should take common precautions to reduce the risk of illness or discomfort related to blue-green algal blooms:

• The public should not swim in areas where a blue-green algae bloom is evident. Do not drink water from any area with the appearance of a blue-green algae bloom.
• If contact is made with problem water, simply wash off with fresh water. In some cases, skin irritations may occur after prolonged contact. If irritations persist, see a physician or local health care provider.
• Keep pets and livestock away from bloom areas. Blue-green algal blooms may contain toxins that could be harmful or fatal to pets and livestock.
• Do not eat viscera (internal organs) of fish caught in blue-green bloom waters.
• Inhalation exposure to blue-green algal bloom waters may result in irritation of the eyes, ears, nose and throat with extended recreational activity on such waterways.

Please note that illness associated with harmful algal blooms is now a reportable illness so physicians should be reporting these to local health departments. The MD DNR, in coordination and cooperation with DHMH and MDE, will continue to monitor all blue-green algal blooms throughout the state. For up to date information on all of Maryland's harmful algal blooms and water quality, please visit Eyes on the Bay

The Chesapeake Bay Safety and Environmental Hotline is a toll-free phone number for Maryland citizens to call to report a problem on the tidal portions of Maryland’s portion of the Chesapeake Bay, as well as the Coastal Bays. One phone call will now direct citizens to the appropriate agency to make a report 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Effective immediately, 1-877-224-7229 will allow citizens to report any of the following:

• Boating accident or reckless activity
• Fish kill or algal bloom
• Floating debris that poses a hazard to navigation
• Illegal fishing activity
• Public sewer leak or overflow
• Oil or hazardous material spill
• Critical area or wetlands violation
• Suspicious or unusual activity