Algae -
Ohio River Data Base from
Drinking water Utilities (ORSANCO)
The Water Laboratory (WRL) at
Northern Kentucky University specializes in monitoring
aquatic ecosystems to help identify problems associated
with the changing composition of algae. The steps that
the WRL believes is necessary to appropriately monitor a
body of water include bimonthly
genus level identification and enumeration of all algae
from sedimentation chambers, as well as weekly
chlorophyll analysis, temperature, pH and
turbidity levels. The WRL is equipped to monitor
aquatic ecosystems according to these guidelines.
Four years of counts of algae for water samples
received every 2 weeks for > 12 utilities
data on turbidity, pH, temperature, for each sample
Northern Kentucky
University
Water Laboratory and Diatom Herbarium
Department of Biological Sciences
Natural Science Building, Room 161
Highland Heights, Kentucky 41099-0400
ALGAL AND WATER
QUALITY MONITORING SERVICES
Rationale:
- Algae are sensitive indicators of environmental
conditions in lakes and rivers. Discrete algal
populations of a river or lake can give important
information about the biological and chemical water
quality. Concern about the effects of toxic algal
blooms, particularly Cyanobacteria, on human health
has grown in many countries in recent years. Algae
are also capable of producing taste and odor
compounds that affect the quality of drinking water.
Regular monitoring of algae in water bodies can
provide early warnings of potential blooms and help
with the management of water resources and
recreational water. Much of the history of the water
quality of lakes and reservoirs can be obtained by
fossil diatoms and pigments from cores.
- We monitor river samples for drinking water
utilities to identify local treatment problems
associated with changing composition of algae in the
Ohio River and its tributaries, as well as other
bodies of water. By continuous monitoring, clients
can receive updates of water quality in the river
this year and a prognosis for next year.
- Our Diatom Herbarium contains diatoms from
around the world (Ecuador including the Galapagos
Islands, Brazil, Peru, USA, including Alaska,
Siberia, and India). An environmental database is
available for each site. Data can be generated to
help monitor changes in environmental quality, or
reconstruct climatic and environmental histories of
a region through the use of fossil diatoms from lake
cores.
Services :
- Qualitative and quantitative algal analysis
- Chlorophyll a
- Processing and enumeration of fossil diatoms
from lake cores.
- Training sessions available on request. Courses
in "Freshwater Algae", "Freshwater Diatoms" and
Limnology offered at N.K.U.
- *Prices for individual services are negotiable.
FACILITIES AVAILABLE
We are a dedicated comprehensive
research laboratory equipped for algal processing and
counting. Our diatom herbarium houses permanent mounts
of over 1000 species of freshwater diatoms from around
the world. Our laboratory also contains an extensive
algal taxonomy reference library, DIC optical phase
contrast photo-microscopes, inverted phase contrast
microscopes and a Hitachi S-570 scanning electron
microscope.
Laboratory is equipped for:
- Identification and enumeration of all algal
types to genus or species levels.
- Processing and preparation of permanent
reference slides for diatoms.
- Inverted Nikon Microscopes.
- Microphotography with a Nikon Optiphot
microscope.
- Scanning Electron Micrographs with the
FEI
Quanta 200 ESEM.
- Analysis of data using the latest computer
technology and statistical programs.
- Interpretation of findings in terms of
algae as water quality indicators.
- Field sampling.
- Consulting services and training in algal
taxonomy.
Materials that can be processed:
- Whole water samples
- Plankton and shore algal tows
- Stomach analyses of small invertebrates such as
zebra mussels
- Lake cores
- Benthic samples from lakes, streams or rivers
- Rock scrapings
To begin, contact Vicki M. Kier to set up a
protocol, and services.
Phone: (859) 572-6649
Fax: (859) 572-5639
e-mail: kierv1@nku.edu
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