What are blue-green algae? Blue-green algae, technically known as cyanobacteria, are microscopic organisms that are naturally present in lakes and streams. They usually are present in low numbers. Blue-green algae can become very abundant in warm, shallow, undisturbed surface water that receives a lot of sunlight.
Is blue-green algae toxic to humans?
In their toxic form, blue-green algae can cause illness in humans, pets, waterfowl, and other animals that come in contact with the algae. Toxic blooms can kill livestock and pets that drink the water. Signs of a toxic bloom may include: Dead fish, waterfowl, or other animals.
What are the side effects of blue-green algae?
Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Pet and livestock illness/deaths can happen if animals consume large amounts of water containing blooms, scums or benthic mats.
Is blue-green algae good for you?
People use blue-green algae for treating high blood pressure and as a protein supplement. It’s also used for high levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood, diabetes, obesity, and many other conditions. But there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.
Is blue-green algae a problem?
Some species of blue-green algae produce harmful toxins which take effect when eaten, inhaled or skin contact is made. Contact with affected water can cause skin irritation, mild respiratory effects and hayfever-like symptoms.
What happens if you swim in a lake with blue-green algae?
Getting blue-green algae/microcystin on the skin may produce a rash, hives, or skin blisters (especially on the lips and under swimsuits). Swallowing water containing blue-green algae/microcystin may cause gastrointestinal symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, severe headaches, and fever.
Can you swim if there is blue-green algae?
In humans, they can cause rashes after skin contact and illnesses if swallowed. Not all blue-green algae blooms and scums are toxic, but you can’t tell just by looking at them, so it is best to assume they might be and check the information provided by local authorities.
What kills blue-green algae in lakes?
Copper Sulfate or “blue stone” is probably the most commonly used algal treatments because of its availability and low cost. Copper sulfate comes in several forms depending on how finely it is ground. Smaller crystals will dissolve easier than larger crystals.
Is it safe to touch blue-green algae?
A: People can get sick from microcystin toxin if they have direct contact with a blue green algae bloom, by either intentionally or accidentally swallowing water, by having direct skin contact (as when swimming, wading, or showering), or by breathing airborne droplets containing the toxins, such as during boating or
Can you eat fish from a lake with blue-green algae?
Is it safe to eat fish caught from waters affected by a blue-green algae bloom? risk. There have been no reports of people becoming sick from eating fish caught during a bloom, but there has been no definitive research regarding the risk to human health.
How do I know if my lake has blue-green algae?
If the algae have formed a green ring at the top of the water, there is a strong possibility that your lake does have a blue- green algae community. If your lake or pond has a mat of green material floating on the surface, the stick test can help determine what it is.
How do you remove blue-green algae from drinking water?
The best way to get rid of algae in drinking water is with a water filter. The type of water filter required will depend on the type of algae. For example, if there’s a chance of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria) – which is actually a bacteria, not algae – nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, or reverse osmosis is best.
What to do if you get sick from blue-green algae?
If you think you are experiencing symptoms related to exposure to blue-green algae (e.g., stomach cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, headache, fever, muscle weakness, difficulty breathing), contact your doctor or the Wisconsin Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) right away.
What time of year does blue-green algae appear?
Cyanobacterial blooms more often occur during the summer or early fall but can occur anytime during the year. Cyanobacteria usually multiply and bloom when the water is warm, stagnant, and rich in nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows.
How does blue-green algae go away?
If the whole lake or pond has a bloom, they typically last for several weeks until conditions in the lake change and the algae die and decompose.
Is lake algae harmful to humans?
One of the potential effects of excess nutrients in lakes is the overgrowth of cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, which produce toxins (cyanotoxins) that are harmful to people’s health and can kill fish, mammals and birds.
Do all lakes have blue-green algae?
They were originally called blue-green algae because dense growths often turn the water green, blue-green or brownish-green. These algae are found in all lakes and are a natural part of the lake ecosystem.
Is it OK to swim in a lake with algae?
Very severe cases of exposure can even include seizures or liver/respiratory failure (these cases are very rare). It’s best to avoid swimming in or drinking from water bodies in which large numbers of algae are present.
How do you prevent blue-green algae in lakes?
The best solution to reduce the incidence of blue-green algae blooms is to reduce the amount of phosphorous and nitrogen that runs into the lake and rivers.
What eats blue-green algae?
Algae are eaten by zooplankton, which are in turn eaten by small fish, then larger fish, and eventually the larger fish are eaten by birds, shore animals, and people.
What kills algae immediately?
Adding shock to your pool super-chlorinates your water. And this extra dose of sanitizer will kill algae growth. The more serious your pool algae problem, the more shock you’ll need. We recommend using calcium hypochlorite shock, or cal-hypo shock, as an effective algae treatment.