High Microcystin concentrations in nutrient rich Canadian Lakes

This morning I spent a pleasant hour in the sunshine by an urban pond in Winnipeg, supporting Diane Orihel, PhD Candidate in Biological Sciences at University of Alberta as she launched a paper on which she and other scientists have just published on the occurrence of algal blooms and the toxin microcystin in Canadian Lakes.

The media event was MC'd by Dr John Gerrard MLA and Manitoba Liberal Party Leader. Diane launched the research findings and stressed the need for Manitobans to take action to reduce nutrient concentrations in lakes for the benefit of the environment and their health. She was supported by Dr Robert Hecky, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, McKnight Endowed Presidential Professor in Lake Ecology, Biology Department and Large Lakes Observatory, University of Minnesota-Duluth, Dr Gordon Goldsborough, Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Manitoba, and me Dr Selena Randall, Research Development Coordinator, Watershed Systems Research Program, University of Manitoba.

The paper, published in the Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, shows that the toxin is resent in all Canadian Provinces and is at especially high concentrations in lakes across the Prairies, including the Lake Winnipeg Watershed, where nutrient enrichment has become a recognized problem in recent years. The paper highlights the health risks of exposure to microcystin, and the need for urgent action to reduce nutrient inputs in the watershed.

Press release

Selena Randall

MAFRI Soil and Manure Management Field Clinic

On Friday, August 10, 2012 I attended the MAFRI Soil and Manure Management Field Clinic with Senior Research Chair, David Lobb. There were some 50+ attendees including a mix of students, researchers, government staff, and producers, and we were well organized by MAFRI staff and their 'Angels'. A non-kosher, non-islam, non-vegetarian lunch was provided by Manitoba Pork, which we ate in the sunshine.

We toured different stations at Glenlea Research Station just south of Winnipeg, where MAFRI staff, research students, professors and others explained the latest research findings and best practices on a range of topics that included:

• crop residue management - a comparison of burning and different chopping methods and different cultivation techniques to generate the desired amount of black soil to heat up in the spring without a loss too much carbon and organic material, but managing the weeds;
• composting - what ratios of carbon, nitrogen and water and air do you need for the perfect mix;
• a demo by USDA researchers on the use of electrical conductivity to assess nutrient availability;
• a demonstration of just how difficult it is to meet the anticipated phosphorus limit by calibrating the application rate for solid manures using horizontal and vertical spreaders;
• a brief discussion of synthetic N fertilizers and the use of enzymes to slow their release with a tour of the crop trials;
• a demo of different types of composting machinery (boys and their toys)
• a demonstration of the results of a soil inundation study showed us the difference in P-release from different soils across Manitoba
• an overview of flocculant use to separate solid manures with samples to see;
• A demonstration of in-crop manure application
• a demo of an ammonia volatilization trial using different application methodologies for urea and solid and liquid manures.

All in all a very enjoyable day outside in the Manitoba sunshine.

Selena Randall