robotic laboratory in USA: following the toxicity of the flowering of algae from Lake Erie.

A new research tool to safeguard drinking water is now keeping a watchful eye on Lake Erie. This week, a robotic lake bottom lab began tracking the levels of dangerous toxins produced by the cyanobacteria that bloom every summer in the western basin of the lake. The aim is to provide early warning to municipal water managers and thus prevent the recurrence of the water crisis that left more than 400,000 residents of Toledo without drinking water for approximately two days in early August 2014 due to high Levels of microcystin toxins. The purchase of the $ 375,000 device, known as an environmental specimen processor or ESP, was a direct response to the Toledo event. It is placed at a point at the bottom of the lake where it can provide around a day notice if the highly toxic water seems to be heading towards the water intake of the city. Tests will be performed every two days initially, then increased to once a day from August 1 to coincide with the expected peak flowering toxicity. The test results are automatically emailed to the researchers' inboxes back in Ann Arbor. Our number one goal is to protect water intake and prevent public exposure to these toxins.