Toxic algae spurs advisory for part of Thurmond Lake – WRDW

Report on Harmful Algal Bloom in Strom Thurmond Lake and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

A recreational advisory was issued by the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services following the detection of a harmful algal bloom (HAB) in a cove of Strom Thurmond Lake, McCormick County. Water sample analysis confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria producing microcystin at concentrations exceeding state safety standards. This event directly impacts several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those concerning health, water quality, and ecosystem integrity. This report details the incident and analyzes its connection to key SDGs.

2.0 Incident Details and Timeline

1. Initial Notification: On November 20, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers notified the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services of a potential algal bloom. This inter-agency cooperation is a key component of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
2. Sample Collection and Analysis: Water samples were collected on the subsequent Monday. Laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae).
3. Contaminant Identification: The samples contained the cyanotoxin microcystin, a potent liver toxin and possible human carcinogen, at levels above the state’s recreational water quality standard.
4. Advisory Issued: A recreational advisory was officially issued on Wednesday for the affected area, located off Yacht Club Drive in Plum Branch.

3.0 Impact on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The occurrence of this harmful algal bloom presents a significant challenge to the achievement of multiple SDGs:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The presence of microcystin poses a direct threat to human and animal health. The advisory to avoid contact with the water is a critical public health measure to prevent illness and protect community well-being.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The bloom signifies a severe degradation of water quality, rendering the lake unsafe for recreational use. This event underscores the ongoing challenge of protecting water resources from pollution and ensuring they are safe for both communities and ecosystems.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water & SDG 15: Life on Land: Harmful algal blooms disrupt aquatic ecosystems by depleting oxygen and releasing toxins, which can lead to fish kills and harm other aquatic organisms. The contaminated water also poses a risk to terrestrial wildlife that may drink from the lake, threatening local biodiversity.

4.0 Official Guidance and Environmental Factors

In alignment with protecting public health (SDG 3), officials have issued clear guidance for the public.

3.1 Public Safety Recommendations

• The primary advisory is: “when in doubt, stay out.”
• The public is advised to avoid areas of water that appear discolored, resembling bright green spilled paint or having a blue-green hue.

3.2 Environmental Conditions

• HABs are most common in South Carolina from late spring to early fall due to warmer water temperatures and increased sunlight, conditions potentially exacerbated by climate change (related to SDG 13: Climate Action).
• The bloom’s duration is variable and can last for weeks.
• Natural dissipation is expected to occur with the onset of cooler temperatures, heavy winds, and rain, which help to break up and kill off the algae.

4.0 Additional Resources

For further information on this and other water quality issues in South Carolina, the following resources are available:

• Telephone: 803-898-8374
• Online Information Portal: sc-dhec.maps.arcgis.com

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

The article on the harmful algal bloom in Strom Thurmond Lake connects to several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that focus on health, water quality, and ecosystem preservation.

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The article directly addresses public health by reporting on a “recreational advisory” issued due to the presence of cyanotoxins. It explicitly mentions that the toxin found, microcystin, is a “potent liver toxin and possible human carcinogen,” highlighting the direct risk to human health from contaminated water.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: The core issue is the pollution of a major water body, Strom Thurmond Lake. The “harmful algal bloom” represents a significant degradation of water quality, making it unsafe for recreation. This aligns with SDG 6’s aim to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all, which includes protecting water bodies from pollution.
• SDG 14: Life Below Water: While this SDG focuses on marine environments, its principles are relevant here. The algal bloom is a form of water pollution, often caused by nutrient runoff from land-based activities, which Target 14.1 aims to reduce. Freshwater ecosystems like lakes are integral parts of the broader aquatic system that ultimately affects marine environments.
• SDG 15: Life on Land: This goal includes the protection and restoration of inland freshwater ecosystems. The algal bloom in Strom Thurmond Lake is a clear sign of a distressed ecosystem, directly relating to the goal of conserving and restoring freshwater bodies.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Based on the issues discussed, the following specific SDG targets can be identified:

1. Target 3.9: “By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.” The article’s focus on the health risks posed by “cyanotoxins” and “microcystin” and the issuance of a “recreational advisory” to prevent human exposure directly relates to this target of reducing illnesses from water pollution.
2. Target 6.3: “By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution…” The presence of a “harmful algal bloom” indicates a failure to meet this target in the affected area. The actions of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services to sample and test the water are steps related to monitoring and managing water quality as per this target.
3. Target 6.6: “By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including… lakes.” The article describes a degraded lake ecosystem suffering from an algal bloom. The monitoring and public advisory are reactive measures related to the protection of this water-related ecosystem and its users.
4. Target 14.1: “By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including… nutrient pollution.” Harmful algal blooms are typically fueled by nutrient pollution from land. Although the article discusses a lake, the underlying cause and effect are precisely what this target aims to address.
5. Target 15.1: “By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of… inland freshwater ecosystems and their services…” The algal bloom signifies a disruption in the health and sustainable use of Strom Thurmond Lake, an inland freshwater ecosystem, preventing its use for recreation.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article mentions and implies several indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Water Quality Measurement: The article explicitly states that “Water samples collected from the area” found “Concentrations exceeding the state’s recreational water quality standard for the cyanotoxin microcystin.” This directly relates to Indicator 6.3.2: “Proportion of bodies of water with good ambient water quality.” The measurement against a specific standard (“state’s recreational water quality standard”) is a direct application of this indicator.
• Presence of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): The report of a “harmful algal bloom” itself serves as a qualitative indicator of poor ecosystem health. Tracking the frequency, duration, and extent of such blooms in Strom Thurmond Lake and other water bodies would be a way to measure progress towards protecting and restoring ecosystems (Targets 6.6, 14.1, and 15.1).
• Public Health Advisories: The issuance of a “recreational advisory” by a state agency is an indicator of a public health response to environmental contamination. The number and duration of such advisories can be tracked as a proxy measure for the incidence of water pollution events that pose a risk to human health (Target 3.9).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wrdw.com