OUR GEM: Harmful algal blooms pose risk
Freshwater algae are a natural and important part of lake, river and stream ecosystems. They produce oxygen by photosynthesis, take up nutrients such as phosphorus from water and are the foundation of aquatic food webs. As with many things in life, there can be too much of a good thing.
Algae can grow excessively if conditions are right. They can be unsightly, smelly and a nuisance during peak recreation months. If conditions are right (actually, wrong) some species of “algae” can produce toxins with potential health risks.
Excess algae is usually referred to as a “bloom,” and blooms containing those species that produce toxins are referred to as “harmful algal blooms." These HABs are caused by cyanobacteria, sometimes referred to as blue-green algae, some of which can — but not always — produce cyanotoxins.
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