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HCB-2

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Interactive Tools
Monitoring Tool
Management Criteria Tool
About ITRC
Navigating this Website
1. Introduction
1. Introduction
1.1 Overview of Cyanobacteria
1.2 Scope of Document
1.3 Ecology of Attached Cyanobacterial Mats
1.4 Health, Environmental, and Economic Impacts
1.5 Understanding Your Water Body and Developing an HCB Management Plan
2. Cyanotoxins
2. Cyanotoxins
2.1 Exposure Routes to Cyanotoxins
2.2 Health Impacts of Cyanotoxins
2.3 Overview of Cyanotoxin Classes
2.4 Cyanotoxin Distribution, Stability, and Exposure Considerations
2.5 Developing Cyanotoxin Toxicity Thresholds for Humans and Animals
2.6 Cyanotoxin Thresholds
3. Monitoring for benthic cyanobacteria
3. Monitoring for benthic cyanobacteria
3.1 Developing a Monitoring Plan for Benthic Cyanobacteria and Their Cyanotoxins
3.2 Field Collection Methods for Benthic HCBs
3.3 Analytical Methods
3.4 Monitoring HCBs in the Future
4. Introduction to treatment strategies
4. Introduction to treatment strategies
4.1 Summary Table
5. Communication and response planning strategies
5. Communication and response planning strategies
5.1 Reporting, Notification, and Coordination with Key Partners, Stakeholders, and the Public
5.2 Bloom Identification
5.3 Drinking Water Sources
5.4 Thresholds for HCB Advisories for Drinking Water, Recreation, and Pets/Livestock
5.5 Results, Risks, and Advisory Communication
5.6 HCB-related Illnesses Documentation and Evaluation
5.7 Maps and Data Management Optimization and Improvement
6. Recommendations
6. Recommendations
6.1 Cyanotoxin-related (Applicable for Planktonic and Benthic Sources Unless Specifically Noted)
6.2 Monitoring-related
6.3 Management-related
6.4 Communication-related
Appendix
Appendix A. Visual Guide to Common Harmful Cyanobacteria
Appendix B. Case Studies
Appendix C. Management Strategy Fact Sheets
C.1 Management Strategy Fact Sheets
C.2 Cost Compilation for Several Mitigation Strategies
C.3 Abridged Strategies
Appendix D. Team Contacts
Appendix E. Glossary
Appendix F. Acronyms
References
Acknowledgments
Document Feedback

 

Strategies for Preventing and Managing Benthic Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (HCB-2)
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HARMFUL CYANOBACTERIAL BLOOMS (HCBs)

Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (HCBs) are complex ecological phenomenon that can occur where cyanobacteria proliferate and dominate aquatic ecosystems including lakes, streams, rivers, reservoirs, ponds, and freshwater-influenced estuaries. They serve as vibrant hubs for recreation, tourism, and local identity. Human activities can influence and alter their natural ecological equilibrium. Freshwater inland lakes and reservoirs supply approximately 70% of our nation’s drinking water and industry withdrawals.

HCBs can occur in many parts of a water body. Planktonic HCBs occur when cyanobacteria dominate the water column (pelagic zones) of water bodies. In addition to being suspended in the open water, some cyanobacterial species grow attached to surfaces in a water body. These attached cyanobacteria can grow at the bottom of a water body (benthic zone) but may also be found nearer to the surface growing on submerged vegetation or woody debris.

ITRC has created two guidance documents, one focused primarily on planktonic HCBs, HCB-1, and the other focused primarily on benthic HCBs, HCB-2. While each document has a primary focus, each document has sections that are applicable to all HCBs, including several interactive tools. The framework shows how the two guidance documents are related and where they overlap.

Framework of HCB

Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom (HCB) Training

The Harmful Cyanobacterial Bloom team developed an online training to accompany this guidance.

  • Register for the next HCB training
  • HCB Training Archive

The training video below, Learn to Identify Cyanobacteria Blooms – published with help from the Lake Champlain Basin Program – identifies and describes different types of cyanobacteria and offers guidance on best management and safety practices involving harmful blooms.

Published by the Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, March 2022

Permission is granted to refer to or quote from this publication with the customary acknowledgment of the source. The suggested citation for this document is as follows:

ITRC (Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council). 2022. Strategies for Preventing and Managing Benthic Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (HCB-2). Washington, D.C.: Interstate Technology & Regulatory Council, HCB Team. www.itrcweb.org.
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HCB-2

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