Environmental Economics

The state’s continuing effort to rid
Grand Lake St. Marys of toxic blue-green algae could include testing a new chemical and devices
that circulate lake water.

Those are among the recommendations in a report that Columbus-based research giant Battelle
released Monday.

Battelle researchers looked at 73 proposals and technologies aimed at cleaning up the
13,000-acre western Ohio lake.

“It looks at the approaches that are most likely to address the short-term issue of keeping
algae from shutting down the lake,” said Harry Stone, a senior researcher and co-author of the
study.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are common in most Ohio lakes but grow thick in water
polluted with phosphorus from manure, sewage and fertilizers that washes off with rain into
streams.

Algae grew so thick in 2010 that the state warned people not to touch the water or take boats
out on the lake for fear of algae-produced liver and nerve toxins. Algae and warning signs
reappeared at Grand Lake beaches in June.

via www.dispatch.com