Dr. Alan Cottingham of Murdoch University’s Harry Butler Institute, an ERC grantee, is helping lead the charge against toxic algal blooms. His artistry seeks to avoid the mass fish kill occurrences that have haunted our bodies of water. His cutting-edge technology, Spyvalve, takes advantage of the mussels’ natural behavior. It very cleverly serves to detect early signs of declining water quality. This proactive approach aims to provide timely interventions, ultimately reducing the devastating impact of harmful algal blooms (HAB) on aquatic ecosystems.
In the long run, Dr. Cottingham’s efforts are aimed at identifying the root causes of algal blooms. Such blooms can decimate oxygen levels and kill entire fish populations. He says we can create successful, cost-effective solutions by pinpointing where toxic chemicals and nutrients are coming from. These three things create the perfect storm for toxic blooms. This study points to the importance of addressing these issues before they develop into larger environmental disasters.
The Role of Mussels in Water Monitoring
Dr. Cottingham uses these mussels, or more directly their ability to survive, as biological indicators to track water quality. He emphasizes the importance of paying attention to these creatures as they offer crucial insights into aquatic health.
“It’s not just about watching the water, it’s about listening to what the [mussels] have to say. And trust me, they have a lot to say,” – Dr. Cottingham
Mussels are sensitive indicators of changes in water conditions far before it reaches a critical state and they are great for closely monitoring potential problems. This exciting new approach allows us to tackle water quality challenges from a more proactive rather than reactive place.
Spyvalve technology makes monitoring hassle-free. It allows for quicker action to be taken whenever a water quality anomaly is identified. According to Dr. Cottingham, early intervention and detection is critical to stopping the spread of HABs before they take over.
Addressing Low Oxygen Events
Dr. Cottingham’s research aims to prevent low-oxygen events from occurring. These incidents are frequently underlain by harmful algal blooms. He points to the success of oxygenation plants on the upper stretch of Australia’s Swan River. These plants have already proven their value as a potential solution to these dire circumstances.
“The first stage is determining what the issue is—then, in most cases there are solutions. First of course is identifying sources of toxic chemicals and nutrients that fuel algal blooms resulting in low oxygen events,” – Dr. Cottingham
Dr. Cottingham works to find and eliminate these sources. His overarching aim is to install better interventions that naturally enhance water quality and produce a safer ecosystem for aquatic fauna.
We need to put an emphasis on preventing these low oxygen occurrences. They often trigger massive fish kills and can wipe out entire ecosystems.
The Challenges of Fish Death Events
Dr. Cottingham explains why it’s often so challenging to document fish kill incidents. These events usually fly under the radar, or come to light only after catastrophic harm has occurred.
“Most mass fish-death events go unreported, and even when events are reported it often happens several days after they occur,” – Dr. Cottingham
This lag in reporting makes it difficult to grasp the scope and prevent these tragedies from happening. Through early detection systems like Spyvalve, researchers want to develop faster responses and better preventative measures.
Dr. Cottingham’s commitment to improving water quality through innovative technology reflects a growing awareness of the need for proactive environmental management. Here, he’s tapping into the natural talents of mussels. Using state-of-the-art detection techniques, he works to protect aquatic ecosystems from the harmful effects of toxic algal blooms.