WHAT ARE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?
Blue-green algae also referred to as algae blooms or algal blooms, are a slimy green substance that forms a layer of scum on the surface of bodies of water like ponds, lakes and in some cases the ocean. The scientific term for the substance is cyanobacteria and it is, in fact, not algae at all. Blue-green algae is a bacteria that most often shows up in summer when temperatures are warmer. Warm weather creates the proper environment for the green slime to grow in warmer waters.
The blue-green algal blooms form in bodies of water due to excess nutrient levels. The primary nutrients that cause the blooms are nitrogen and phosphorus. Naturally-occurring amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus already exist in the environment, but we add more of these nutrients to water sources through practices like fertilizing yards and farmlands. When the nutrients are added to the soil, they are deposited into water by way of the hydrological cycle. Nitrogen and phosphorus are added to our land and seep into the soil. Rain and other natural occurrences cause the nutrients to run into drainage systems and sometimes directly into bodies of water. When they enter into lakes, ponds, rivers and streams, this can cause an oversupply of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bodies of water making the right conditions for algal blooms to form.
When blue-green algae form, they can produce toxins called microcystins. These toxins are the main cause for concern surrounding algal blooms. When toxins are found in the blue-green algae, you have what is called a harmful algal bloom or HAB. When HABs form, the water they contaminate can cause many challenges ranging from economic hardships to health issues.
HOW DO BLUE-GREEN ALGAE AFFECT OUR WATER?
There are health risks to anyone or anything that comes in contact with water that contains blue-green algae. The severity depends on what type of bacteria forms. There are more than 80 types of microcystins, some of which cause more harm than others. There is no Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulation at present for blue-green algae, so water treatment facilities are not required to treat for it; however, most facilities with water that is regularly affected do treat for algal blooms.
When blue-green algae are in drinking water, consumption and exposure can be problematic for both humans and animals. In extreme cases, household pets, livestock, wildlife and humans can die from overexposure to HAB contamination. This level of severity is not common.
Human health can be affected by blue-green algae contamination by both consumption and contact. When humans consume or come in contact with water that contains harmful bacteria from blue-green algae, they could experience eye and skin irritation, stomach and liver illnesses and sometimes respiratory issues.
When HABs contaminate a body of water, they can also impact local economies. The blooms can harm fish and other wildlife causing a strain on fishing. They can also affect tourism and other industries that rely on water for income. Inevitably the blooms will also increase the costs of water treatment which increases municipal water costs. The economic challenges can only be overcome with widespread change. Though large-scale changes can take time to implement, there are easy ways to reduce the risks of algal blooms in your home.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HOME’S WATER FROM BLUE-GREEN ALGAE.
If you live in an area that is regularly affected by local health advisories caused by algal blooms, it is in your best interest to consider in-home water treatment. If your home has city water, it is likely that your municipality is treating your water supply. In some cases, drastic changes in weather patterns can make it harder to treat the contaminants. In such situations, cyanobacteria could enter your home’s water and cause problems. The best solution is to install a home water treatment solution that can act as a barrier, protecting your family from contaminated water.
There are several preventive measures you can take to protect the safety and quality of water:
- Properly dispose of grease, paint, oil and chemical products
- Use environmentally-friendly household cleaning products
- Limit your use of pesticides and fertilizers
- Install a water filtration system to help address water impurities
- If you’ve ever wondered what is in you water, now is the time to find out. The best test for the water your family uses every day is just a phone call away.
Culligan is committed to keeping the drinking water in your home safe. Our certified lab accurately tests for more than one hundred contaminants, including the dangerous ones listed above, in order to diagnose exactly what’s going on with your water. Call (859) 873-8100 today.
NOAA’s Harmful Algal Bloom Observing System (HABSOS)
The Harmful Algal BloomS Observing System (HABSOS) began as a pilot project in 2001 to focus on recent Karenia brevis blooms in the Gulf of Mexico. This project identified a need for a harmful algal bloom observing network. Many individuals from Gulf of Mexico state agencies and universities, US Environmental Protection Agency, and NOAA National Coastal Data Development Center (NCDDC) participated in this project. This product developed a strong partnership between Gulf of Mexico partners and NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (formerly NCDDC).
HABSOS evolved into a database of HAB observations and associated environmental observations submitted by the partners who collect these data. These data are updated annually and made publicly available in the NCEI archive and via the interactive map viewer. NCEI’s HABSOS provides a research quality HAB dataset and HAB observations in near-real time. MORE INFORMATION.
