Toxic Algae
Mark Heath, a PhD student, has spent the past six years studying the deadly algae, cyanobacteria, with a particular focus on the Hutt River.
An expert in the toxic algae that has killed about a dozen dogs in the Wellington area is surprised the problem has attracted so little attention nationally.
‘‘It is one of the most toxic natural compounds you’ll ever come in contact with and it’s in our rivers,’’ researcher Mark Heath said.
‘‘Just a couple of grams of algal mat formed in a bloom are sufficient to paralyse and kill a small dog in five to 15 minutes.’’
The algae is also dangerous to humans. It can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, cramps and nausea.
Mr Heath, a PhD student at Victoria University, has spent the past six years studying the deadly algae, cyanobacteria, with a particular focus on the Hutt River. His work has made him a world leader in the subject.
He was introduced to the topic in his last year of undergraduate study.
‘‘I found some interesting results and I loved the applied aspect of the research.’’
He contacted New Zealand’s premier cyanobacteria researcher Dr Susie Wood from the Cawthron Institute in Nelson, who introduced him to the problems in the Hutt River.
‘‘Soon after, I started my masters project on the Hutt River – the first long-term study on toxic benthic cyanobacteria in New Zealand.’’
On Thursday he speaks at Cafe Scientifique about what is causing the toxic blooms and about his research.
‘‘My current research is largely driven by the alarming amount of toxic algal blooms across the country, the number of dog deaths it has caused and the very real risk that the toxins produced from the algae present to humans,’’ he said.
The first local dog death was reported in 2005.
‘‘Back then it was sourced to a single spot in the Hutt River. Now it’s not uncommon for 20 to 30 kilometres of the river to have huge problems.’’ In the past 10 years the algae has increased across the country.
‘‘Since the first report of dog deaths in 1998 from the Waikanae River there have been more than 50 recorded dog deaths and at least three already this summer.’’
The musty smell of the algal mats is thought to attract dogs. The danger to humans is particularly related to children who might ingest the algae while swimming or playing at the water’s edge.
Mr Heath’s research has been incorporated into regional and national management guidelines but he believes a lot more could be done. With the algae showing up in rivers all round the country, research funding is urgently needed.
‘‘A few hundred thousand dollars would be enough to take the New Zealand response from largely reactive....to proactive.’’
Funds could help develop methods to predict when and where problems occur and help local authorities with monitoring and warning programmes.
Earlier this month two French professors visited to learn more about the blooms after a number of dog deaths in French rivers.
‘‘This French collaboration is exciting for our research team. They bring with them new skills, fresh ideas and scientific equipment we don’t have, or can’t afford in New Zealand.’’
This article is reproduced courtesy of the Hutt News.