Dealing with Dangerous Algae

As you might be able to see in this picture, the water is green. This green water could indicate that this lake/river has a very dangerous type of algae, Blue-Green Algae. Some of the Blue-Green algae, such as the algae in Anderson lake contains anatoxin-a and microcystin. Anatoxin-a causes potent nerve damage and chronic exposure to microcystin causes liver damage. This kind of algae eats phosphorus.         People first found out about this alga being in Anderson lake when two pet dogs drunk the water and died. The problem of Blue-Green algae and why it is there in Anderson lake is a mystery that has stumped scientists for many years.
    Algal blooms happen when plants that live in seawater and groups of algae grow out of control and will cause a "red tide." A red tide is when all these groups grow out of control and make an algal bloom that will turn the water red, kills fish, sickens shellfish, and make the air harder to breathe. An algal bloom is not always bad, they aren't always dangerous, in fact, they will provide food for the animals and it is a major energy source for the ocean food web.
     We can't really fix the problem of Anderson lake until we know what caused the Blue-Green algae to be there and to keep coming back. But we can try to remove the worst of it every year using robots or very fine nets. Scientists are still trying to find the cause to the problem and they feel that their close.
    Here are some things that you can do to help prevent Blue-Green algae in all lakes, rivers, and streams. You can clean up after your self or animal, not put pollution in the lake, use a net or something else to take it out of the lakes, and you can help invent something or help the scientists to find the problem.

By Layla F

Bibliography

      Lake Bluegreen Algae | Jefferson County, WA, Jefferson County Public Health, www.co.jefferson.wa.us/724/Lake-Water-Quality.

US  Department of Commerce, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. “What Is a Red Tide?” NOAA's National Ocean Service, 1 June 2013, oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/redtide.html.