Ohio Sea Grant releases 2025 summary of Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative

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Ohio Sea Grant releases 2025 summary of Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative

Science-backed solutions include less nutrient pollution, improved water quality

Ohio Sea Grant, on behalf of The Ohio State University, the University of Toledo and the Ohio Department of Higher Education, has released the 2025 research findings for the Harmful Algal Bloom Research Initiative (HABRI).

Created in the aftermath of the 2014 Toledo water crisis, HABRI is a statewide research program that provides near-term solutions for the full suite of issues surrounding harmful algal blooms.

The initiative consists of 29 science teams across the state that are working to fill critical knowledge gaps identified by frontline state agencies, including the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Health, Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Ohio's state agencies, researchers and local partners are collaboratively generating and applying new science to reduce nutrient pollution, improve water quality, and strengthen public health responses to harmful algal blooms thanks to this initiative.

The 2025 report highlights that the state of Ohio continues to benefit from HABRI, showcasing the following results:

• The Ohio EPA, with HABRI support and researchers, is working directly with water treatment plant operators to optimize removal of cyanotoxins.
• Several HABRI projects have helped Ohio EPA understand the nature of how nutrients move from the working landscape to streams and, ultimately, Lake Erie, enabling better planning for and support of nutrient reduction implementation actions.
• Researchers at Bowling Green State University and Ohio State are collaborating with Ohio EPA and local farmers to evaluate the beneficial use of dredge materials to amend agricultural soils. This research is providing information for stakeholders on the impact of dredge sediment on soil properties and economic feasibility of beneficial use for agriculture.
• HABRI research has demonstrated that Drinking Water Treatment Material effectively binds phosphorus. Based on the results of the research, Ohio EPA is working with stakeholders to explore new and innovative reuse opportunities to utilize the materials to improve water quality.
• New information regarding nutrient loss pathways, as well as losses from nutrient application activities and losses from residual soil phosphorus, is helping the Ohio Department of Agriculture adjust program practices and specifications to better address nutrient loss from row crop agriculture. Additionally, recent projects studying farmland water management practices are providing valuable insight into their nutrient capture potential.
• Working directly with the academic research community, through the ODHE HABRI, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources is able to more deeply explore the mechanisms that are driving the water quality impacts of its wetland restoration program. The program now has a sharper understanding of the results of its work and better tools to use as the program strengthens the effect of natural infrastructure restoration in the battle against harmful algal blooms in Ohio's waterways.
• A HABRI-supported review of human health data repositories by researchers has enhanced the Ohio Department of Health's understanding of harmful algal bloom (HAB) susceptibility by identifying several potential risk factors, including respiratory illness, smoking and diabetes, that may influence future health recommendations.
• In partnership with the Ohio Department of Health, with support from HABRI, researchers are working to improve the dissemination of health education on HABs to current and future physicians. More evidence-based HAB education will aid physicians in swiftly diagnosing, treating and reporting HAB-related illnesses, improving overall state response to HAB events.

"HABRI research projects continue to inform us about the effectiveness of actions included in Ohio's Domestic Action Plan and to help the state improve our understanding of nutrient reductions from the H2Ohio work being implemented," said Joy Mulinex, executive director, Ohio Lake Erie Commission, on behalf of Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency and Ohio Department of Agriculture.

HABRI is funded by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) with $24 million made available since 2015. Matching funding from participating Ohio universities increases the total investment to more than $37 million, demonstrating the state's overall commitment to addressing the harmful algal bloom issue.

Final results from 12 projects funded from 2022-2024 make up this year's report, in addition to one-year results of 17 projects funded in 2024.

"Gov. DeWine's leadership through H2Ohio has positioned Ohio as a national leader in investing to improve water quality," said ODHE Chancellor Mike Duffey. "Recent research has demonstrated common drinking water technology offers further promise in reducing phosphorus-related algae blooms."

HABRI comprises 62 scientists leading 114 research projects from Bowling Green State University, Case Western Reserve University, Central State University, Defiance College, Heidelberg University, Kent State University, Oberlin College, Sinclair Community College, the University of Akron, the University of Cincinnati, Miami University, Wright State University, Youngstown State University and consortium leaders the University of Toledo and Ohio State.

Information about individual HABRI projects, as well as partner organizations and background on the initiative, is also available on the Ohio Sea Grant website at go.osu.edu/habri. The report can be downloaded directly at https://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/p/l6rmc.

Ohio Sea Grant is supported by The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) School of Environment and Natural Resources, Ohio State University Extension and NOAA Sea Grant, a network of 34 Sea Grant programs nationwide dedicated to the protection and sustainable use of marine and Great Lakes resources. Stone Laboratory is Ohio State's island campus on Lake Erie and is the research, education and outreach facility of Ohio Sea Grant and part of CFAES School of Environment and Natural Resources.

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