Sensors for Monitoring Harmful Algae, Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins

10 The US has experienced major threats to drinking water, and sensors can play a crucial role in assessing potential impacts in real-time. The 2014 microcystin event in the Great Lakes cut off tap water to more than half a million Toledo residents ( T. Henry, August 3, 2014) . This event served to thrust the issue of freshwater HAB toxins threatening public health to nation-wide attention, and resulted in prioritization of broad support for the subsequent deployment of ESPs to monitor microcystin levels in adjacent waters. Meanwhile, long periods of drought in California have ignited efforts to construct desalination plants in order to augment drinking water supplies. To be a viable source, plants must be able to detect potential contaminants, such as HAB toxins, entering the system in order to mitigate their impacts to the water supply (Caron et al. 2010). In both GL and CA coast water situations, sensors need to be economically feasible for municipalities while capable of detecting and rapidly alerting to toxins that could be making their way through treatment regimes. • Q3: What are paths forward for transitioning to operational use for current and near-future technologies? There are recognized hurdles for adoption of sensor technology by regulatory agencies, including: a) How best to link environmental monitoring and observation to standards of exposure? In many cases, we still do not fully understand the full range of exposure levels that serve as a threat to human health. b) How to overcome obstacles to deployment? As with any instrumentation, a certain level of expertise is needed for initial deployment as well as troubleshooting. Although a variety of personnel can be trained on the technical aspects of instrumentation, researchers with an understanding of the biological angles (and associated caveats) are needed in order to ensure the generation of relevant data sets. c) How to address the need for stable long-term funding sources? Instrumentation (acquisition, maintenance, data storage) and supporting reagents/ assays/ personnel/ administrative support can present large costs that need to be covered by already funding-strapped regulatory agencies. Could this cost share be moved to commercial for-profit companies and/or public entities with investments in the data products? What are the paths forward? a) Harness the power of a HAB event/crisis: Punctuated HAB events thrust these issues into the public spotlight, as impacts can be devastating to local economies and well-being of communities. The three-day closure of drinking water for residents around Toledo, Ohio in 2014 is a prime example of a HAB event that became well-known nationally/internationally. These high profile events can serve as an opportunity to bring awareness to and educate not only impacted communities, but others that could potentially be affected by a similar event. The conversation can then be turned towards the importance of long-term monitoring frameworks. To further inform stakeholders and the public, the HAB community should be involved with providing solid communication