Algae that wash up on shorelines and start turning black aren’t just a smelly eyesore — they could also be the source of a dangerous chemical compound that contaminates the surrounding environment and endangers public health.

Brock University Assistant Professor of Chemistry Vaughn Mangal and his team are studying a type of algae found in Lake Erie, called Cladophora, to better understand if and how it produces methylmercury, a compound derived from mercury.

“When mercury converts to methylmercury, that creates a neurotoxin dangerous to human health,” says Mangal. “Previous research has shown that this can happen, but nobody has looked at whether or not this is actively happening in Lake Erie.”

Supporting his team’s work in analyzing Cladophora blooms collected from Lake Erie is a two-year, $149,180 grant from the federal government’s Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative, announced Sept. 30.

The growth of Cladophora algae, which typically blooms in the summer, is fuelled primarily by warmer temperatures, sunlight and nutrients entering the lake through surface run-off.

While Cladophora itself isn’t toxic, it blocks sunlight hitting the water, stunting the growth of other plants and fish in the water.

After the algae blooms die, waves transport the material onto land where it decomposes, creating an oxygen-free environment in which bacteria thrive.

These bacteria contain genes that can convert inorganic mercury – produced by pollution from fossil fuel emissions, mining and industrial practices – into methylmercury, which is highly toxic to human and animal health.

“At this point, we don’t know if methylmercury is being produced and where the methylmercury goes. Is it staying on the beach or are seagulls eating it and then getting methylmercury into their systems?” says Mangal. “If it goes back into the water, which it probably will with high and low tides, does it get consumed by fish or other organisms? We don’t know the endpoints of methylmercury, so that’s part of this study; it’s never really been looked at.”

Part of the research also involves working with local community partners and conservation authorities to improve their monitoring and remediation strategies at Lake Erie during peak bloom periods.

At the federal level, Mangal says the Canadian government has identified inorganic mercury as a global pollutant that is an emerging contaminant of interest in the country’s Great Lakes.

“The Government of Canada is committed to preserving the integrity of our natural environment, including our Great Lakes,” says Chris Bittle, Member of Parliament for St. Catharines.

“Dr. Mangal’s research on Lake Erie’s water quality will guide local community partners and conservation authorities in protecting the area against emerging contaminants,” he says.

“Protecting the health of our Great Lakes is crucial for the environment, our communities, and future generations,” says Vance Badawey, Member of Parliament for Niagara Centre.

“This research will not only provide critical insights but will also strengthen ongoing monitoring and remediation efforts in collaboration with local partners,” he says. “Together, we are keeping the great in the Great Lakes by taking important steps to preserve the ecological balance of our freshwater resources.”

Part of the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative funds projects focused on significant environmental challenges affecting water quality and ecosystem health in the Great Lakes.