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Monitoring microbes in the Great Lakes
Mark B Bain1, Allegra Cangelosi, Tim A Eder
1Department of Natural Resources, Fernow Hall, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. Mark.Bain@Cornell.edu
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
|February 22, 2011
Summary
Great Lakes agencies are enhancing microbe monitoring to proactively manage threats like fish kills. This plan uses advanced molecular testing for rapid detection and response to harmful microbes in water and fish.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Microbiology
- Ecosystem Health
Background:
- Great Lakes agencies require enhanced capacity to address emerging microbe threats.
- Proactive response and mitigation plans are needed to prevent ecological crises, such as fish kills.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a collaborative microbe monitoring plan for the Great Lakes.
- To build understanding of harmful microbes and establish rapid, robust response capabilities.
- To adapt monitoring for evolving threats in areas of human activity, including shipping ports and invasion hotspots.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing the latest science and molecular testing technology for microbe detection.
- Implementing a representative sampling design targeting fish and water.
- Establishing sample archiving and rapid, broadly distributed results dissemination.
Main Results:
- The program is designed for adaptability to changing microbial threats.
- Focuses on building knowledge for proactive environmental management and response planning.
- Integrates advanced molecular techniques for sensitive and efficient microbe detection.
Conclusions:
- The microbe monitoring plan offers a broader scope and knowledge-building focus compared to existing programs.
- The reliance on molecular testing, sample archiving, and rapid results distinguishes this approach.
- Integrating microbe monitoring into Great Lakes environmental management will provide crucial new insights for ecosystem health.
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