Spatiotemporal Variability of Algal Biomass and Nitrate in Owasco and Seneca Lakes in the Finger Lakes Region, New York, in 2019
Links
- Document: Report (9.22 MB pdf) , HTML , XML
- Appendixes:
- Appendix 1 (657 KB pdf) - Quality Assurance Project Plan for Discrete Water-Quality Samples, Measurements, and Shoreline Surveys Conducted for the Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Advanced Monitoring Pilot Study
- Appendix 2 (397 KB pdf) - Standard Operating Procedure for the Analysis of Total Microcystins and Nodularins in Discrete Water-Quality Samples for the Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Advanced Monitoring Pilot Study
- Data Releases:
- USGS data release - High-resolution spatial water-quality and discrete phytoplankton data, Owasco Lake, Seneca Lake, and Skaneateles Lake, Finger Lakes Region, New York, 2018–2019
- USGS data release - Field data for an evaluation of sensors for continuous monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the Finger Lakes, New York, 2018–2020
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
Abstract
Cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms (CyanoHABs) have become increasingly common, threatening the security of water resources globally. The U.S. Geological Survey conducted high-resolution nearshore mapping surveys using boat-mounted multiparameter sondes and nitrate sensors during the summer and fall of 2019 on Owasco Lake and Seneca Lake, two lakes with documented CyanoHABs in the Finger Lakes region of New York State. Discrete sensor measurements and water-quality samples were collected at fixed points along survey routes and continuous data were generated at open-water monitoring platforms. This investigation examined whether water-quality information from nearshore surveys was representative of open-water conditions and if nearshore surveys could be used to identify areas with localized nearshore CyanoHABs and potential sources of nutrients not captured by tributary sampling.
In addition to comparisons across methods, nearshore concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll were evaluated relative to tributary outlets, cyanobacterial abundance and biovolume at discrete locations, and the locations of near-surface CyanoHABs that were designated as “confirmed with high toxins” by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Nitrate and chlorophyll concentrations were comparable across methods for each lake, although concentration ranges were typically higher for nearshore mapping datasets than for nearshore discrete datasets. Nearshore surveys indicated areas of nitrate enrichment that varied temporally in both lakes. Orthophosphate was not routinely detected. Across methods, median chlorophyll concentrations were higher for the summer survey than for the fall survey in Owasco Lake. Nearshore chlorophyll concentrations varied more temporally in Owasco Lake than in Seneca Lake.
Phytoplankton and cyanobacterial abundance and biovolume were about five times higher in Owasco Lake than in Seneca Lake. Cyanobacteria dominated the phytoplankton community in most samples, and Microcystis comprised the bulk of the cyanobacterial biovolume. The most abundant potential cyanotoxin-producing (specifically microcystins) genera were Microcystis, Synechococcus, Aphanocapsa, and Pseudanabaena. The cyanobacterial community composition was comparable between open-water monitoring platforms and nearshore samples. Microcystins were detected in seven survey samples from Owasco Lake, in one survey sample from Seneca Lake, and in one sample each from the open-water monitoring platforms on Owasco and Seneca Lakes that were collected about 7 days before the fall surveys. Microcystin detections were not consistently associated with high cyanobacterial cell counts or cyanotoxin-producing genera.
Results from nearshore surveys were comparable to open-water monitoring platforms and discrete nearshore observations in the absence of nearshore or open-water CyanoHABs in these systems during the study. Patterns of nearshore concentrations of nitrate and chlorophyll from nearshore surveys may aid in the identification of areas with localized nitrate loading and shifts in phytoplankton abundance and community composition.
Suggested Citation
Stouder, M.D.W., Gifford, S.R., Gutchess, K.M., Finkelstein, K.M., Johnston, B.D., Beaulieu, K.M., Rosen, J.J., Essig, M.L., and Foster, G.M., 2025, Spatiotemporal variability of algal biomass and nitrate in Owasco and Seneca Lakes in the Finger Lakes Region, New York, in 2019: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2024–5118, 39 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/sir20245118.
ISSN: 2328-0328 (online)
Study Area
Table of Contents
- Acknowledgments
- Abstract
- Introduction
- Purpose and Scope
- Description of the Study Area
- Methods
- Quality Assurance and Quality Control
- Comparison of Open-Water Monitoring Platform Data to Nearshore Survey Results
- Nearshore Algal Biomass and Nitrate
- Summary
- References Cited
- Appendix 1. Quality Assurance Project Plan for Discrete Water-Quality Samples, Measurements, and Shoreline Surveys Conducted for the Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Advanced Monitoring Pilot Study
- Appendix 2. Standard Operating Procedure for the Analysis of Total Microcystins and Nodularins in Discrete Water-Quality Samples for the Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms Advanced Monitoring Pilot Study
| Publication type | Report |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | USGS Numbered Series |
| Title | Spatiotemporal variability of algal biomass and nitrate in Owasco and Seneca Lakes in the Finger Lakes Region, New York, in 2019 |
| Series title | Scientific Investigations Report |
| Series number | 2024-5118 |
| DOI | 10.3133/sir20245118 |
| Publication Date | September 09, 2025 |
| Year Published | 2025 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Publisher location | Reston, VA |
| Contributing office(s) | New York Water Science Center |
| Description | Report: viii, 39 p.; 2 Appendixes; 2 Data Releases |
| Country | United States |
| State | New York |
| Other Geospatial | Finger Lakes region, Owasco Lake, Seneca Lake |
| Online Only (Y/N) | Y |
| Additional Online Files (Y/N) | Y |