From The Dock – Blue Green Algae – Is it Serious?

Are you observing a slick on the surface of your pond that resembles lime green paint?  If so, Chad says you’re experiencing a blue green algae bloom.  During summer months, it can disrupt water quality.

Blue green algae are interesting creatures.  Normally, when people hear algae, they think of plants and rightfully so, most algae are plants.  However, the blue green variety is a cyanobacterium with a photosynthetic part.  Chad explained it’s a prokaryote that can behave like a plant and create its own food source.

Cyanobacteria grow in warm water that has very little movement, especially during a drought.  Warm, dry conditions lead to blue green algae outbreaks.  All water contains cyanobacteria.  Issues arise when bacteria grows exponentially.  As bacterium grows, it produces toxins.  Some can be harmful, even fatal, to livestock, family pets, and humans.  The severity depends on species of cyanobacteria present.  There are hundreds of different species and toxins.  You can’t kill a toxin.  Even if bacteria are managed, they still can release toxins into a body of water.  Cyanobacteria are very important organisms.  They are one of few organisms that can fix inert or nitrogen into nitrate, a basic building block of life.

If you’re tongue tied from pronouncing some of those words, call and visit with Chad for translation.  We manage blue green algae with GreenClean and Cutrine Plus granular.  Ask him how quick action can save damaging results.

We appreciate your business,

Bob Lusk – Matt Rayl – Chad Fikes – Walter Bassano