Friday 24 July 2020

Dangerous cyanobacteria lifting off the bottom of St. John River

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Replying to @alllibertynews and 49 others
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Methinks somebody should thank the lady for doing her job and calling our attention to this issue again In a nutshell if this scum can kill 4 dogs then it can kill us too N'esy Pas?



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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/cyanobacteria-new-brunswick-river-dangerous-1.5659947


Dangerous cyanobacteria lifting off the bottom of St. John River

The bacteria was responsible for the death of three dogs in 2018

CBC News · Posted: Jul 23, 2020 12:25 PM AT


Janice Lawrence, a biologist at the University of New Brunswick, said the cyanobateria can be harmful to humans (Photo: CBC)

A University of New Brunswick biologist is trying to get the word out about a dangerous toxin in the St. John River between Fredericton and the Mactaquac Dam.

Cyanobacteria die in the winter months but come back in small pockets on the bottom of the river as the weather warms up.

Now they cover almost 90 per cent of the river floor in some parts of the St. John River, says biologist Janice Lawrence.


She and her colleagues at the Canadian Rivers Institute sent a warning to the Department of Environment this week about a massive lift-off of the bacteria in the Fredericton area.

Once the bacteria cover a larger area, they thicken into pads that are more likely to be swept down the river with heavy currents and lifted off the bottom of the river. Once a pad of cyanobacteria is on the surface, people are more likely to come in contact with it and eventually the cyanobacteria can end up on shorelines.

"That's when there's a greater chance individuals or dogs may come in contact with it," Lawrence told Information Morning Fredericton on Thursday.

Researchers only became aware of the bacteria in the river in 2018 after three dogs died shortly after coming in contact with the water. A fourth dog died in 2019.


Once the bacteria covers a larger area it begins to thicken and is more likely to be swept down the river with heavy currents and lifted off the bottom of the river. (Mike Heenan/CBC)

Cyanobacteria is different from blue-green algae and can be dangerous to humans too, especially children who play in the water and are more likely to ingest it.

The bacteria can be brown, rusty, burgundy or chalky.


"This type of bacteria produces a neurotoxin which actually causes paralysis of the muscles associated with breathing," Lawrence said. "The neurotoxin will actually cause suffocation and death if it's ingested in large enough quantities."

Lawrence said there is no evidence to suggest that man-made materials, such as fertilizer washing into the river, have any impact on the amount of cyanobacteria growth.

However, the bacteria grow better in warmer temperatures and because of global warming, larger amounts of the bacteria are being found.
Lawrence said locally researchers are hoping to figure out other things that may be helping the bacteria's growth.

"We would really like to try and see if there are factors that are enhancing the growth of this thing and in the meantime being really vigilant with individuals or animals that are going to be more susceptible to being exposed to it."

She said she knows some people are worried but suggested they just treat cyanobacteria as they would other dangers present in the environment.

"If you go out into the woods and you know there will be bears there, you just take precautions," she said. "I would take the same approach with the river with anywhere else."

The New Brunswick government has guidelines on its website for safe water activities, including always checking the water for signs of algae, being careful not to ingest river water, and showering after swimming.

Information on cyanobacteria advisories can be found on the government website.


Information Morning Fredericton




 

67 Comments
Commenting is now closed for this story.




David Amos
Deja Vu Anyone?

https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/1573081155733

Biologist warns cyanobacteria in St. John River can be harmful to humans
1 year ago



David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @David Amos: Methinks somebody should thank the lady for doing her job and calling our attention to this issue again In a nutshell if this scum can kill 4 dogs then it can kill us too N'esy Pas?




























Amajor Hall
I think I'll skip swimming along the river bottom...50M down...for now...seriously, covid is ravaging the world including cats and this is a story?


Tristis Ward
Reply to @Amajor Hall:
Of course this is a story!
This bacteria can kill a child. The river isn't so deep everywhere. People need to know.
sheesh.



David Amos 
Reply to @Tristis Ward: I agree 


























 

Bill Henry
Well it’s official. The river is dead. Keep your pets and kids out of it.
   
David Amos
Reply to @Bill Henry: I concur 
 




























Larry Larson
It is the Saint John River NOT St John! Hire someone who knows some of Canada's geography, CBC!


Theresa Glanville
Reply to @Larry Larson: It is the Wolastoq River


Tristis Ward 
Reply to @Larry Larson:
First, as Theresa says, it's the Wolastoq River.
Second though, the Saint St. thing was only about the city, not the river.



David Amos 
Reply to @Larry Larson: Methinks it is officially labeled by the Crown as the St John River N'esy Pas? 




























 

Jeff LeBlanc
John Grail is the real expert on blue green algae. CBC should interview him. Who needs scientists when there is the internet.


John Grail  
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Please read the linked CBC article where this same expert mentions that algae blooms are caused by run-off...Willful ignorance is your strong suit...


John Grail 
Reply to @Richard Bend: Yeah, because I am saying let's eat our fecal matter...nice straw man...more fallacies. Can anyone even posit a legitimate argument?


John Grail 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Speaking of experts, how much research have you done? Just by looking at twonof the links in the article would prove my point. I mean I know it's hard to admit you're wrong:

"Although nutrients are naturally occurring in a lake and are needed for plant and animal life, too much phosphorus and nitrogen can cause problems by offsetting the natural balance of the lake. • These problems arise or are compounded when storm water, agricultural runoff, industrial and wastewater effluent, faulty septic systems and lawn fertilizers find their way into the lake."



David Amos
Content disabled 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: Google me if ya dare 


























 

Brian Robertson
What global warming.
I keep waiting, but we've got the same bloody rotten weather we've always had.



James Edward 
Reply to @Brian Robertson: I know the fish hatchery in mactaquac had water chillers installed in 2003...300k +/-...for future global warming, as the river was going to heat up they said (so that study was likely from the 2000's)....it was never used, as the water temps are still good to grow fish.


Brian Robertson 
Reply to @James Edward:
We've spent / wasted a lot of money on what's 'projected' to happen.
Haven't seen any of it yet; especially water temperature.



Tristis Ward
Reply to @Brian Robertson:
The denial is strong in some.
Climate change is a fact. It's okay that you cherrypick, but that doesn't change the actual facts based on real data.



David Amos 
Reply to @Tristis Ward: I ain't denying that there is a change in the weather However like many others it is the cause of it is that I dispute with the people who merely wish to raise taxes in order to stop it That is well within my rights to do so Correct??? 
 


























Brent Harris Blizzard
In today's world is this even a story worth reporting?


June Arnott
Reply to @Brent Harris Blizzard: why wouldn’t you want to warn dog owners?


Jeff LeBlanc
Reply to @Brent Harris Blizzard: yes...yes it is


David Amos 
Reply to @Jeff LeBlanc: I concur































Mike Sampson
And I was correct. The word police don't like it when you tell the truth.


JoeBrown 
Reply to @Mike Sampson: Nope you can't figure what terms of use entails, so you go into persecution complex explanations for your missing posts.


Andy Davis 
Reply to @Mike Sampson: in your own little world maybe? 
 
David Amos
Content disabled
Reply to @Andy Davis: Methinks your heroes in the RCMP and the FBI are well aware that I experience harassment for telling the truth in the real world on a daily basis  N'esy Pas?


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