CHIEF TALLCREE SCHOOL DIVISION

Tallcree Taking Ownership Drinking Water Quality Project

Inside this Newsletter

The Results Are In!

During the summer of 2012 six Tallcree water sites were tested for the presence of cyanobacteria. Many Tallcree students, community members and school staff contributed to make this project a reality with the indispensable help of TSAG. This project had 3 main goals: 1. To promote student & community awareness about cyanobacteria and its effect on drinking water in Tallcree 2. Collect data on algal blooms and cyanotoxins (not well studied in northern Alberta) 3. Educate students & community about the process of monitoring & maintaining water quality Our project is wrapping up, our results are in and we would like to share with you
Microscopic pictures of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). Many species produce toxins that have closed Alberta lakes

What have our students learned? Our key findings Important cyanobacteria findings pH findings What should we do now? What has this project done for our community? Acknowledgements Student poster presentations

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what we found and what we have learned!

DWQP Sample Sites: Deep Lake (DL) South Lake (SL) (Fish Lake) North Dump Pond (ND) North School Pond (NS) Wadlin Lake Boat Dock (WBD) Wadlin Lake East Shore (WES)

What is cyanobacteria? Why do we care about it?

Cyanobacteria is an algaelike microorganism that photosynthesizes. These bacteria are found in almost all water in varying concentrations. Some species produce toxins that can poison fish, wildlife, pets, and us. Symptoms of toxic cyanobacteria exposure include skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea.

17 Alberta lakes were closed in 2012 to protect the public from exposure to cyanobacteria.

LISTEN TO A PRESENTATION OF OUR KEY FINDINGS ON OUR WEBSITE: www.chieftallcreeschooldivision.com

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Tallcree Taking Ownership

What have our students learned?

Students wore chest waders and rubber gloves to protect them from the water. Students were not exposed to any potentially toxic cyanobacteria blooms. Students involved in this study learned how to measure water temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, nitrate and phosphate concentrations. We were able to explore the implications of these water parameters on water health.

What did we find?

When our water samples were sent to the ALS lab. They were able to tell us the concentration of each type (genus) of cyanobacteria present in our sampled water. The World Health Organization (WHO) found that people demonstrated mild symptoms of cyanotoxin poisoning when they had contact with water containing 5000 cells per milliliter of water. The WHO recommend that people should be warned about the risks of contacting water with 20,000 cells or more. All of our sample sites have concentrations greater than this at some point during the summer. If you look at the top bar graph, Wadlin Lake had cyanobacteria concentrations higher than 60,000 cells/mL. This is 3x higher than is recommended without warning the public of possible risks! When we looked at types of cyanobacteria that often produce toxins (not all species do) the levels at Wadlin Lake were still high. This is a huge concern because this is the water body that is most widely used in our local area. The other important finding of this study was that we did not have any visible blooms but our cyanobacteria concentrations were still very high. This means that there were no warning signs that the water may contain dangerous cyanobacteria.

Students became experts with dissecting and compound microscopes using them to identify phytoplankton, zooplankton and insect larvae. They also learned about aquatic food chains and the value of protecting our wetlands.

Shoreline blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) bloom on Pigeon Lake, AB

Potentially harmful cyanobacteria = Microcystis, Anabaena, Oscillatoria, Lyngbya & Aphanizomenon all of these genera produce strains that are toxic

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The trouble with cyanobacteria measurements

Not all cyanobacteria produce toxins. Some very closely related species do while others do not. Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell from a microscope based study if the cyanobacteria we found produce toxins. We completed an important part of the process, but it is just the first step. We now know that there are high concentrations of cyanobacteria in many of our wetlands. We also know that there are potentially harmful cyanobacteria in significant concentrations in several sites. The next step is to have water samples from the North School, North Dump Pond & Wadlin Lake analyzed using biochemical tests to determine if toxins are present and in what concentrations.

pH findings
What is pH? pH is the measure of how many hydrogen (H) ions are in a solution. pH values below 7 are acidic, pH values above 7 are basic. A pH value of 7 is considered neutral. As the values get both lower (close to 0) and higher (close to 14) the strength of the acid or base increases. Aquatic life needs a pH that is not too acidic, nor too basic. Most fish prefer to live in a pH range between about 6.5 and 8.0. We found at many sample sites our pH values were high. This is especially the case in the North Dump Pond. You can see in the graph below that the pH in this pond is 9.2-9.6. More tests would be necessary to be sure, but this could be a result of water contamination from the dump. Many cleaners are basic and could lower the pH if they leak into the water. As the North Dump Pond is located close to the north community and could contaminate ground water and

North community drinking water its pH level should be monitored. The Wadlin Lake pH values were also high (8.19.2) but many Alberta lakes have pH values between 710 because the water that fills these lakes runs over soils high in salts. However, Wadlin Lake is a popular recreation site and its pH should be monitored to ensure water health that can support fish.

What should we do now?

If you or anyone in your family suspect a cyanobacteria bloom you should not drink the water or swim in it; in addition, you should also limit your fish intake. If possible keep livestock and pets away from this water since it can also make them sick. If you experience skin irritation, rash, sore throat, sore red eyes, swollen lips, fever, nausea and vomiting and/or diarrhea, after swimming in, or drinking lake water contact your doctor. Based on the findings of this project there are three sample sites worthy of further biochemical testing to determine the concentration of cyanotoxins. First, North School Pond due to its close proximity to the drinking water source for North Community. Second, North Dump Pond due to possible contamination of North drinking water and also the high overall cyanobacteria concentration. Finally, Wadlin Lake because of its high levels of potentially toxic cyanobacteria and also its popularity for boating, swimming and fishing.

What has this project done for our Schools & our Community?
This project generated funding for the school to purchase brand-new, high-quality dissecting and compound microscopes, waders, other science resources and enriched the hands-on science learning of Tallcree students. This project also generated student interest in protecting their traditional water sources and possible careers in environmental science. This study helped to address community concerns about water health and safety. Also, the study provided baseline measurements for water health prior to potential development. This study identified areas of concern and has helped to build the capacity for effective water management in Tallcree.

Acknowledgements
I would like to thank all Tallcree students who were involved in sampling. I thank Alina Alook for helping on all our field trips. I would also like to thank all students who made posters to showcase the learning that took place during this project. I would not have been able to make this project a reality without the initiative of Vince Dikaitis in co-writing the proposal for funding from Health Canada; the expertise of Amanda Doyle at TSAG who helped us to choose & set up this project, Tanice McNabb who helped Amanda to train our students and staff to conduct water sampling and lastly Laura Machial at TSAG who helped analyze the results. Also Peggy & Louis Meneen were an incredible help as both guides and sampling assistants throughout the project. Many thanks also to Rob Fioraso for facilitating the poster competition.

Student Poster Presentation & Science Fair May 23

Students will be showcasing their learning during the project and representing their results in a poster competition. Posters will be on display at the science fair. For a fully narrated version of a powerpoint presentation explaining our findings please visit our website. Copies of the full report will be available at both (North) Chief Tallcree High School & (South) Chief Tallcree Elementary School. Ask in the office after June 1st, 2013.