ABSTRACT BISHOP, WEST MICHAEL. a Risk
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ABSTRACT BISHOP, WEST MICHAEL. A Risk-based Decision Information System for Selecting an Algal Management Program. (Under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Richardson). Freshwater resources are a vital component needed to support numerous human activities. Climate change, water use dynamics, and eutrophication have synergistically promoted nuisance and noxious algal blooms throughout the world. The increasing distribution, duration, and intensity of algal blooms has created unprecedented concerns over safety and usability of freshwater. Some of the largest blooms ever documented have occurred in the recent past. This dissertation is designed to provide a framework to assist in 1) understanding risks associated with nuisance algal infestations and 2) comparatively assessing the efficacy, costs, and collateral risks of different management approaches. The management decision framework consists of characterizing dimensions of the problem, identifying management objectives, and applying research to create a strategic management approach that incorporates risks of no action as well as risks associated with different management strategies. By considering information from the research chapters included herein, an accurate assessment of risks can be conducted in terms of the effectiveness and ecological integrity of management approaches. This research should be used to make informed decisions regarding the choice to manage nuisance algae and the selection of an appropriate management approach. © Copyright 2016 West Michael Bishop All Rights Reserved A Risk-based Decision Information System for Selecting an Algal Management Program by West Michael Bishop A dissertation submitted to the Graduate Faculty of North Carolina State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Crop Science Raleigh, North Carolina 2016 APPROVED BY: _______________________________ _______________________________ Dr. Robert J. Richardson Dr. William F. Hunt III Committee Chair _______________________________ _______________________________ Dr. Travis W. Gannon Dr. JoAnn M. Burkholder DEDICATION I dedicate this dissertation to my children, Emerson Michael and Adelynn Marie Bishop, may they pursue their passion and never settle for pretty good. ii BIOGRAPHY West Michael Bishop grew up in a small town in Michigan. He had a unique love for the natural environment and biological sciences field. Following attainment of a Bachelor of Science in biology from Western Michigan University and internship at University of Wisconsin-Madison, he discovered a passion for the aquatic toxicology field. This led to completion of a Master of Science degree at Clemson University with a focus on nuisance and noxious algal management and preservation of non-target species. A further opportunity to study at North Carolina State University arose with a great water resource scientist, Dr. Richardson, to further advance the science of algal management. iii ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, to my committee. Their invaluable guidance, time, and effort to support this research is greatly commended. Thanks to Bill Culpepper and his company, SePRO Corporation, for the unending pursuit of solutions to solve nuisance algal issues and support advancements in research. Unimaginable thanks to Dr. Tyler Koschnick for his vision and continuing guidance; this would not have been possible if not for his actions. My colleagues Ben Willis and Dr. Mark Heilman also provided critical support to advance this research. Numerous other mentors and colleagues helped support this work. Lastly to my wife, Marguerite, for her tireless support of the family through this time and my sister, Dr. Heidi Zubeck, for being a great leader and helping to guide my path. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................... viii LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER ONE: Introduction Overview ........................................................................................................................1 Eutrophication and Environmental Conditions ..............................................................2 Water Dynamics.............................................................................................................5 Magnitude of Issue .........................................................................................................7 Regulatory Assessment ..................................................................................................8 Management Overview ..................................................................................................9 Proactive Management.................................................................................................10 Integrated Management ...............................................................................................12 Reactive Management ..................................................................................................13 Organization of Dissertation ........................................................................................16 References ....................................................................................................................18 CHAPTER TWO: Impacts of Phosphorus Inactivation on Algal Assemblage Composition and Water Quality Characteristics in Hypereutrophic Water Resources Abstract ........................................................................................................................28 Introduction ..................................................................................................................29 Materials and Methods .................................................................................................34 Results ..........................................................................................................................38 Discussion ....................................................................................................................42 v Conclusion ...................................................................................................................46 References ....................................................................................................................48 CHAPTER THREE: Sensitivity of Microcystis aeruginosa Strains to Copper and Influence of Phosphorus Abstract ........................................................................................................................79 Introduction ..................................................................................................................80 Methods........................................................................................................................84 Results and Discussion ................................................................................................88 Conclusion ...................................................................................................................94 References ....................................................................................................................96 CHAPTER FOUR: Comparison of Partitioning and Efficacy Between Copper Algaecide Formulations: Refining the Critical Burden Concept Abstract ......................................................................................................................117 Introduction ................................................................................................................118 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................124 Results ........................................................................................................................129 Discussion ..................................................................................................................133 Conclusion .................................................................................................................142 References ..................................................................................................................145 CHAPTER FIVE: Evaluation of Risks from Copper Algaecide Applications: The Competing Ligand Hypothesis Abstract ......................................................................................................................172 vi Introduction ................................................................................................................173 Materials and Methods ...............................................................................................178 Results ........................................................................................................................183 Discussion ..................................................................................................................186 Conclusion .................................................................................................................194 References ..................................................................................................................196 CHAPTER SIX: Conclusions and a Recommended Decision Information System Framework Background 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