The State of Minnesota has designated the waters of VOYA “Outstanding Resource Value Waters" and considers it essential that the quality of these waters be maintained. However, harmful algal blooms (HABs) of blue-green algae in Kabetogama Lake in VOYA frequently produce the cyanobacterial toxin microcystin. Although this suggests significant on-going HAB issues in Kabetogama, toxin analysis is costly and difficult to incorporate into long-term monitoring routines.

This study will determine the effectiveness of rapid-assessment test strips for detecting the algal toxins microcystin, anatoxin-a, cylindrospermopsin, and saxitoxin. The results could be used to develop a cost-effective monitoring plan to evaluate the presence and concentration of cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins in National Park Service lakes and reservoirs.

Project Publications

• Rapid assessment test strip data for determining cyanotoxin presence in algal blooms, Kabetogama Lake, northern Minnesota, 2017-2018

• Rapid-assessment test strips: Effectiveness for cyanotoxin monitoring in a north temperate lake