Partnering with Grand Valley State University's (GVSU) Annis Water Resources Institute, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy will host a Plankton-Algae Course designed to provide water plant operators and environmental managers with the basic tools to identify the major groups of algae and cyanobacteria that are found in freshwater systems, an understanding of ecological factors that lead to bloom formation, information on monitoring technologies, and strategies to mitigate the impact of these organisms on the water treatment process.
Registration Fee: $ 185.00, includes course materials, lab fees, and breakfast and lunch each day
Registration/Cancellation Deadline: August 2, 2024
Continuing Education: 1.9 Technical for drinking water, course code 3095
Location: GVSU Annis Water Resources Institute, 740 West Shoreline Dr., Muskegon, MI 49441
Registration Questions:
Joel Roseberry (RoseberryJ@Michigan.gov)
Alana Berthold (BertholdA@Michigan.gov)
SCHEDULE
- Day 1 - August 13
Will focus on the identification of the algae and cyanobacteria and include lecture and course materials on major taxonomic groups and laboratory time where students will use microscopes and taxonomic keys to identify specimens collected from area fresh water lakes.
- Day 2 - August 14
Will include lectures on monitoring methods and a cruise on the W. G. Jackson to collect samples from Muskegon Lake and Lake Michigan. Students will have the opportunity to identify the major taxonomic groups found in Lake Michigan and from a local inland lake , Lake Muskegon, in which to compare the difference between oligotrophic and eutrophic systems. Hand-on experiments and lectures will focus on the use of chlorophyll and phycocyanin technologies.
- Day 3 - August 15
Will focus on prevention and control strategies for the impact of cyanobacteria and algae blooms on the water treatment process. Techniques, online monitoring and optimization tools will be presented. A workshop format will be used to present technical information and discuss case studies of treatment problems and solutions. The course will end with a panel discussion on treatment and assessment methods and provide opportunities exchanging information and answering questions.
The Instructors:
Mark Luttenton, Ph.D.: Dr. Mark Luttenton became a faculty member at GVSU in August 1989, and is currently the Interim Director of the R.B. Annis Water Resources Institute and program director for the newly established MS in Water Resource Policy. He earned a B.S. in Biology with a minor in chemistry from Central Michigan University (1977), an M.S. in Biology from University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (1981), and received a Ph.D. in Aquatic Ecology from Bowling Green State University (1989). Since joining GVSU, he has taught over a dozen different courses covering a wide range of topics and was recognized as the 2006 Outstanding Educator by the GV Alumni Association. Dr. Luttenton’s research has covered a broad range of ecological systems ranging from small streams to the Mississippi River and from the Great Lakes to small freshwater pools in the Bahamas. He has conducted research on a range of organisms but has a particular interest in the ecology of stream dwelling trout, trout diseases, and stream community bioenergetics. He recently collaborated with researchers at three institutions to explore the diversity of fungi found on the bottom of the Great Lakes. The primary goal of the study is to screen the fungi for chemicals that may have anti-cancer properties. Over the past 20 years, Dr. Luttenton has also worked with a number of conservation groups to help protect our natural resources.
Sarah Hamsher, Ph.D.: Dr. Sarah Hamsher is an assistant professor at Grand Valley State University in the Biology Department and the Annis Water Resources Institute. She studies the evolution and ecology of diatoms, a group of microscopic algae with silica cell walls. One of her current projects is a collaborative study of the evolution of the Rhopalodiales, a group of diatoms with cyanobacterial endosymbionts.
Judy Westrick, Ph.D.: Dr. Westrick is an accomplished environmental analytical chemist with a research focus on emerging drinking water issues. She has conducted cyanotoxin research in the following areas: 1) determining the occurrence and drinking water treatment removal and/or inactivation efficiency of cyanotoxins; 2) interpreting policy and identifying knowledge gaps between academia and industry; and 3) developing standard analytical methods for the priority cyanotoxins. She has organized and served on local, national, and international cyanotoxin panels. Her current research includes developing simple monitoring tools for drinking water utilities and analytical methodologies to determine human cyanotoxin exposure. Her background as an analytical chemist, a certified drinking water operator from 1995-2001, and a cyanotoxin expert, has enabled her to be a ‘linker’ between the academic, drinking water, and environmental health communities.
David Szlag, Ph.D.: Dr. Szlag is a registered professional environmental engineer and an assistant professor of chemistry and environmental science at Oakland University. His research interests focus on source water protection, development of monitoring methodologies, and water treatment technology. He is currently working with the State of Michigan on developing new monitoring strategies for cyanotoxins and invasive species using qPCR, citizen science, and passive samplers.
Partnering with:
CANCELLATION POLICY: Cancellations made on or before August 2, 2024, will receive a full refund of the registration fee. Those who cancel after August 2 and no-shows, will be responsible for the full registration fee. Substitutions are welcome any time.
For more drinking water training opportunities, visit Michigan.gov/EGLEevents
Individuals needing language assistance or accommodations for effective participation at this event should contact Joel Roseberry at 517-599-9494 by July 30, 2023 to request language, mobility, visual, hearing, translation, and/or other assistance.
EGLE does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, religion, age, national origin, color, marital status, disability, political beliefs, height, weight, genetic information, or sexual orientation in the administration of any of its programs or activities, and prohibits intimidation and retaliation, as required by applicable laws and regulations.