KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (Washington) – The Ijams Nature Center has issued a health advisory after a temporary algae bloom was confirmed at Meads Quarry Lake. As part of the advisory, Ijams warns people and pets not to swim in the lake or ingest lake water, scum, foam or algae.
Ijams issued the advisory Thursday afternoon, explaining that the lake is experiencing a temporary palm civet bloom. Planctotrix rubescensa cyanobacterium that produces microcystin, a metabolite that can be toxic to people and pets in sufficient concentrations.
Algae gives the lake a slight pink color.
The bloom was discovered by students and faculty at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, who were testing water quality in the lake as part of a class. When the bloom was discovered, they alerted Ijams, who is now working with the Tennessee Department of Health and the Tennessee Department of Environmental Conservation. Ijams wrote in the release that high levels of microcystin were identified.
“Ijams is very fortunate to be able to work with UTK faculty and state experts. They acted quickly to keep us all safe,” said Ijams President and CEO CEO Amber Parker said. “We are grateful to have knowledgeable and helpful scientific experts on our doorstep.”
Ijams said the state's health advisory level for microcystin in recreational water is 8 micrograms per liter. Samples taken from the lake on March 5 showed concentrations between 10 and 28 μg/L.
Microcystins can cause a variety of health effects, including upset stomach, vomiting, and diarrhea. Ijam added that exposure to cyanotoxin concentrations above state guideline values can cause more severe illness.
If you become ill after swimming or playing in the water, you should seek medical attention. Additionally, Ijams said in the release that if you, your family, or an animal experience any cyanotoxin-related adverse health effects, please contact the Tennessee Department of Health at Waterborne.Health@tn.gov. It said people should report illness by emailing or calling 615-741. -7247.
Professor Parker explained that algal blooms are fairly common in deep lakes with a distinct thermocline, the transition layer between warmer surface water and cooler deep water. Seasonal mixing of layers can be influenced by warm winters and unstable weather patterns, creating favorable conditions for bacteria to rapidly multiply.
“The rapid temperature changes we're experiencing this year have rapidly changed the lake, which is more than 75 feet deep,” Parker said. “We predict that this particular cyanobacterial bloom may occur more regularly this time of year due to climate change. Increased likelihood, earlier flowering of plants are all effects of rising temperatures. Thankfully, this is a short-term event and we expect it to resolve itself before swimming season begins.”
