by David Ernes – Lake Management Committee
This is the first in a series or articles to provide some background information surrounding Algal Blooms. This is not meant to be a comprehensive overview, but is intended to give the reader some basic information on this important lake management subject.
Algae are a very broad series of organisms, which use light for most of their food, like any other plant. One class, green algae, is a significant food source for the marine food chain and is very beneficial to any lake. Algal blooms, however, are more often associated with organisms known as “blue-green algae”. Surprisingly, they are not really algae, but instead are actually bacteria that also use light for their energy. One of the terms you may have seen is cyanobacteria, where the cyano refers to “cyan” or the color blue. Cyanobacteria can be the typical blue-green color, as well as reddish purple (called “red tide”), or even brown.
So, where did cyanobacteria come from? They are actually one of the oldest living organisms. They have been around for 3.5 billion years, and are often credited with changing the earth’s atmosphere to the oxygen mixture that supports life. In fact, in a recent article, some German scientists have suggested that cyanobacteria could be used for the same purpose on Mars! Cyanobacteria are found everywhere, even in the Antarctic.
So, if they have been around for so long, why are they such a problem today? Basically, people are the cause. In addition to light, the other main food source for cyanobacteria is nutrients in the water, primarily phosphorous and nitrogen. Man’s activities from certain farming practices, the reduction in natural filtration in forests by building structures and roads, and poor handling of sewage treatment effluents have dramatically increased the level of nutrients in bodies of water. So, with a greater food supply, they tend to multiply, forming blooms. This is one of the main reasons that the Lake Management Committee (LMC) has been encouraging best practices which can reduce the inflow of nutrients into our lake. Less food; fewer blooms.
If you have specific questions about this article, or suggestions for future articles, please contact a member of the LMC.
BE LAKE RESPONSIBLE
Our thoughts are with Darren Savel and his family following the passing of his mother, Youvanna. Darren has been an employee of the RRA for over 20 years.
ROME — Rudy J. Fernandez, age 88, of Rome, Ohio, passed away at his home on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015, surrounded by his family.
October 22, 1945 – January 9, 2015
