blue-green algae – Aquarius-Systems

Glyphosate Ban Necessary Call for Lake Okeechobee

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 20:47:03 +0000

While officials admit that glyphosate is only a small part of the problem with algae blooms on Lake Okeechobee in Florida, they do believe that their decision to temporarily suspend the use of aquatic plant killers was a “necessary call.”

Glyphosate is widely used in Lake Okeechobee to kill invasive species and leaves deposits of phosphorus in the waters. The plants that have been killed by the herbicide treatment sink to the bottom where it turns into sediment and release additional phosphorus. This phosphorus feeds the blue-green algae blooms that have choked the waters in recent years.

Research suggests that the phosphorus deposited as a result of Roundup sprayed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is 2,943 pounds plus the phosphorus contributed by the decaying aquatic vegetation; a drop in the bucket compared with the 2.3 million pounds finding its way into the lake. However, without the ability to find a “big” solution to the phosphorus problem, small remedies such as the herbicide suspension, are the only available remedies.

Toxic Blue-Green Algae Kills More Than a Hundred Elk

Wed, 07 Dec 2022 17:01:04 +0000

A hunter stumbled upon a bizarre sight on a 75,000-acre ranch north of Las Vegas, N.M., on Aug. 27: the remains of more than 100 dead elk. Livestock deaths are not unusual, but so many animals dying off, and doing so in what seems to be under 24 hours, was puzzling to scientists

Officials with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish investigated the mysterious elk deaths and ruled out several possible causes for the elk deaths, including poachers, anthrax, lightning strikes, epizootic hemorrhagic disease (an often-fatal virus known to affect deer and other ruminants), botulism, poisonous plants, malicious poisoning and even some sort of industrial or agricultural accident.

Through science and further testing of elk tissue samples and water samples, it was determined that pond scum was the culprit. Or, more specifically, a neurotoxin produced by one type of blue-green algae that can develop in warm, standing water.

Zebra Mussels Can Increase Microcystis Harmful Algal Blooms

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 15:16:14 +0000

While invasive zebra mussels consume small plant-like organisms called phytoplankton, Michigan State University researchers discovered during a long-term study that zebra mussels can actually increase Microcystis, a type of phytoplankton known as “blue-green algae” or cyanobacteria, that forms harmful floating blooms.

Zebra mussels can filter out the Microcystis with other particles, but then they spit out the Microcystis because evidently it is unpalatable to them. The researchers suspected the zebra mussels were consuming competitors of Microcystis, which paved the way for the cyanobacteria to flourish under lower nutrient availability than it usually needs.

Weed Harvester Approved to Remove Macroalgae and Reduce Harmful Algal Blooms in Georgica Pond

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 21:00:39 +0000

An aquatic weed harvester was used to remove macroalgae from Georgica Pond in New York from 2016 through 2018 and on a limited basis last year, an effort to inhibit harmful algal blooms, including toxic cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae. Approval has just been granted for the the mechanical harvester to be operated from June to September this year and required for the next five years as well.

The Friends of Georgica Pond Foundation, a group of pondfront property owners, know that removing the plant material is particularly helpful in lowering phosphorous levels in the pond. By doing so, “harmful algal blooms and ecological crisis” can be prevented. There is a definite correlation between operation of the weed harvester and improved water quality.

Aquatic Weed Harvesting Helps Reduce Toxic Algae in Georgica Pond

Sat, 02 Dec 2017 21:12:36 +0000

Efforts to restore Georgica Pond are proving to be successful thanks in part to the help of an aquatic weed harvester.

Georgica Pond has been invaded by toxic cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, in recent years, which can cause serious health problems. For the second consecutive year, the foundation has leased an aquatic weed harvester to remove plant material, or macroalgae, from the pond, which releases nitrogen and phosphorous as it decays and is believed to promote cyanobacteria.

The mechanical harvester 32,700 pounds of this material represent 6% of the pond’s nitrogen load and 12% of its phosphorous load; down from 2016 when 55,740 pounds, representing 13% of the nitrogen load and 23% of the phosphorous load, were harvested. Officials say part of the reason for the decrease in 2017 was due to the large quantity of macroalgae harvester the previous year.

Wisconsin Phosphorus Rules Target Algae and Water Quality

Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:15:00 +0000

In December, 2010 Wisconsin became the first state in the country to adopt phosphorus water quality standards for lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and streams. The Environmental Protection Agency has approved Wisconsin’s revised rule as a revision to Wisconsin’s federally-approved National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program under the Clean Water Act.

Under the new rules DNR determines the phosphorus discharge limits based on the condition and quality of a watershed. Limits can vary depending on whether a waterway is already impaired by phosphorus, among other factors.

Already this summer, many Wisconsin lakes are experiencing algae blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth, both of which are fueled by phosphorus pollution. The excess nutrients increase the populations of algae, which can multiply in waterways particularly when the water is warm and the weather is calm.

Algae is typically not harmful to humans, however, some species produce toxins which can affect people by causing illness so swimming and other water activities should be avoided in areas where algal is present. Blue-green algae blooms have been blamed for the deaths of many dogs which are more vulnerable because they often drink the contaminated water or swallow the algae as they clean their coats.

Almost 175 Wisconsin waters are officially listed as “impaired” due to excessive phosphorus levels. The new rules will help clean up those lakes and protect the others. The new rule is in addition to a smaller effort from 2009 which restricted the sale of fertilizers containing phosphorus and banned the sale of dishwasher detergents with phosphorus.

Blue-Green Algae Blooms and Their Impact on Lakes and Wildlife

Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:38:06 +0000

Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. Typically present at low number, blue-green algae can quickly become abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water rich in nutrients like phosphorous and nitrogen.

Some blue-green algae produce toxins that could pose a health risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large quantities. Health effects could occur when ingested, inhaled, or through contact with the skin. Ingestion of the algae affects the liver and the nervous systems and even causes death in livestock and pets when large amounts have been consumed. Vomiting, diarrhea, asthma, headache, fever, and muscle weakness are also potential health effects of the blue-green algae toxins.

Blooms of blue-green algae that last more than a few months can be harmful to lake/river ecosystems and cause fish kills because of the decrease in oxygen levels and direct ingestion in the food chain. Blue-green algae blooms block sunlight that feeds plants growing on the bottom of lakes, resulting in the loss of rooted aquatic vegetation, which is valuable fish habitat.

Algae use sunlight to make food and are eaten by microscopic animals (zooplankton). Small fish eat the zooplankton, and larger fish and other large animals eat the small fish. However, blue-green algae are often difficult to eat or are of poor nutritional value for zooplankton. Consequently, zooplankton, particularly types that are the best fish food, often decline during blooms. This decline can impact the number of desirable game fish.