cyanobacteria – Aquarius-Systems

Invasion of the Algae Blooms!

Fri, 04 Feb 2022 21:08:16 +0000

As many Americans plan trips to lakes and river this Labor Day Weekend, experts are sending out a warning to watch out for toxic algae blooms.

Researchers identified 318 bodies away in the US that have been infected by the microscopic organism called cyanobacteria.

Approximately 86 percent of the outbreaks were in recreational areas, but other reports note a number of dogs and cows were killed.

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.

Can a Plant Fight Climate Change & Reduce Fertilizer Use?

Wed, 01 Aug 2018 01:06:00 +0000

The Azolla filiculoides fern— with leaves the size of gnats, is considered a wonder-plant that played a pivotal role in cooling our planet 50 million years ago. Among its many properties, the Azolla can capture CO2 and nitrogen from the air and has genes that provide insect resistance.

Some 50 million years ago, however, the planet was a much hotter place and Azolla grew as far north as the Arctic Ocean. Fossil records show that, fueled by abundant nitrogen and carbon dioxide, the fern formed thick mats across the entire ocean and crept onto the surrounding continents. Over the course of 1 million years, the plant pulled an estimated tens of trillions of tons of CO2 from the atmosphere, which scientists believe helped cool the planet to a climate more similar to what Earth has today.

Azolla filiculoides is a water fern and has been used as “green manure” in rice paddies in Asia for well over 1,000 years because of its symbiotic relationship with the cyanobacteria Nostoc azollae. The fern and the bacteria work together to capture nitrogen from the air and convert it into something the fern and other surrounded plants can use. This eliminates the need for nitrogen-added fertilizers.

Scientists are hopeful that they will be able to use genomes from the natural bio fertilizer of the plant to help lead to future sustainable agricultural practices.

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.

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.