Big Muddy Speaker Series presents:

Online Presentation by Dr. Rebecca North, PhD, Limnologist with MU Limnology Lab

Dr. North shared some of the research she’s been doing on harmful algal blooms in Missouri lakes and reservoirs.

Dr. Rebecca North is co-lead of the MU Limnology Lab, and she will be sharing some of the basics on harmful algal blooms impacting Missouri reservoirs. Globally, lakes and reservoirs are getting greener and are predicted to become more toxic. We know that cyanobacterial harmful algal blooms like it hot- with a side of light and nutrients, therefore, we anticipate cyanotoxins in the summer in reservoirs with high algal biomass (i.e., green).

Dr. North and her lab's research is challenging this assumption and asking - are hot spots and hot moments in cyanotoxin production happening in the cold? Long-term and year-round data from Missouri reservoirs are being explored to determine if our indicators of toxic reservoirs are failing us.

She'll also share info on some of the great citizen science projects that her lab supports -

• Lakes of Missouri Volunteer Program (LMVP) and the Statewide Lake Assessment Program (SLAP)- funded by EPA through MDNR
• Reservoir Observer Student Scientists (ROSS)
• MU Soil and Water Conservation Club.