Algae Bloom IdentificationA “Short Course”

Edward CarneyLimnologist & Algal Taxonomist

Photo Courtesy Tony Stahl

Are Blue-GreensA Problem?

Blue-Green algae are only one of several types of algae in freshwater systems Algae = functional term, not phylogenetic Algae = simple plants (green algae),

photosynthetic bacteria (blue-green algae), and photosynthetic protists (the rest)

Blue-Green algae are a natural component of aquatic systems

They are only problematic when our activities supply over-abundant nutrients and allow them to grow to very large numbers In other words….. Blooms

When Are Blue-GreensA Problem?

Unimpacted systems do have algae blooms But, they tend to be small, infrequent, and last a

short time when they occur Blooms are problems when they impact

beneficial uses by being… 1) Big-enough in magnitude 2) Long-enough in duration, and/or 3) Frequent-enough in their recurrence

Those blooms are a water quality problem, not natural, and we see them in systems with pollution impacts

A Bit of Blue-Green History

Virgil (Roman poet, 70-19 BCE) Writes Nihil Vilior Alga in response to the foul

nature of blooms in urban Roman impoundments Lago di Monterosi, near Rome

Sports “spectacular” blue-green algae blooms in 171 CE

Followed forest clearing during road construction ordered by one Lucius Cassius Longinius

Later given the title “Maximus Phosphorus”

Becoming A Bloom Detective(Without a Microscope Handy)

Using a few types of “forensic clues” one can become able to… Recognize algae blooms from other things that may look

like blooms Recognize what type of algae may be causing a bloom, and Recognize what genera of blue-green algae might be

dominating a bloom These clues include

Algae/water color scums and any decomposition pigments colony shapes, and odors

CSI….. Lake Perry…..

Coming this fall

Bloom ID: Visual Clues Color of the water/algae in the water

Green (a veritable rainbow of green) “Lemon-lime” green (Chl-b, carotenoid pigments present) Grassy green Teal green Olive green

Yellow-ish Bronze or Copper (diatoms) Red-to-Purple Red (brick-red to orange to pink)

Presence of Distinct colonies Clumps or Blobs (green cottage cheese curds) Clumps (grass clippings)

Aphanizomenon and clear water phenomenon Filaments (like short hairs, ~1 cm or less)

Surface scums Decomposition pigments

Bloom ID: Olfactory Clues Unpleasant odors often accompany blue-

green algae blooms Sewage or Septic Fish or Dead Fish Earthy or Musty Bunker Oil (Microcystis spp.)

Bad odors may also be secondary to the bloom rather than primary

Despite looking like paint, blue-greens never smell like paint carriers Important for complaint investigations

Photos Courtesy Diana Lehmann and Wikipedia Commons

Pediastrum sp.

Scenedesmus spp.

Diatoms

Colonial Green

Microcystis sp.

Microcystis sp.

Anabaena sp.

Aphanizomenon sp.

Photos Courtesy Betsy Betros and Diana Lehmann

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

Coelosphaerium sp. or Woronichinia sp. bloom

Photo Courtesy Diana Lehmann

Photo Courtesy Scott Campbell

Planktothrix rubescens

Combination blooms are possible

Blue-Greens + Euglenoids

Photo Courtesy Traci Miles

Streams at low flow are susceptible to Euglenoid blooms

Euglenoid blooms will be present as a surface layer only

(lakes or streams)

Photo Marsha Carpenter

Not all red blooms are algae

Visible colonies are a good ID clue

But, don’t confuse duckweeds (Lemna spp.) with colonies or a surface scum… especially from a distance

Photo Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

Wolffia spp. (Water Meal) is a smaller duckweed that will feel like small grains when rolled between the fingers (unlike slimier blue-green colonies)

Photo Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

Filamentous green algae forms mats composed of stringy thread-like filaments

Stoneworts are also green algae that grow in beds like other rooted aquatic plants

Photo Gary Kepley ACOE Other types of Algae to watch for

Photo Wikipedia Commons

Photo Diana Lehmann

Although rare, Kansas has had a freshwater “red tide”

Melvern Lake, 1990

This dinoflagellate algae, Gymnodinium acidotum, likes undeveloped, cleaner water systems

Very unlike blue-greens

Scums are very good clues for the presence of Blue-Greens

White scum? What’s that?

When Does A Scum Warrant “Problem” Status?

Not all Blue-Green bloom scums are created equal

Scums may signify a significant bloom if…… They are extensive enough Heavy or thick enough, or Persistent enough

Photo Diana Lehmann

Scums = Blue-Greens present

Presence of any scum does not = problematic bloom

Phycocyanin pigments along shore or embedded in heavier scums = Blue-Green algae present & likely problematic

Photo Courtesy Tony Stahl

Phycocyanin pigment may also be on exposed rocks, from stranded and dying algae

This may indicate blooms in the recent past, even if the lake now looks clear

Photos Courtesy Scott Lang

Such stranded crusts and scums may represent the most dangerous area during a bloom

Colorful

Attractive to a kid’s eye

Or a dog’s nose

And once dried,

Toxins may last a long time

Once in a while……

Scums are not algae related

Foam, from organic matter, can form a surface scum

Pollen is usually white, grey, brown, or black and can form a surface scum

Photos Wikipedia Commons

Rivers and Streams Can also have Algae Blooms

Photo Richard Basore Photo Vic Montgomery

<2% of routine stream and river samples have had significant blue-green phytoplankton communities

Photo Zach Phillips

Common Bloom Forming Blue-Greens

Common Microcystis Anabaena Aphanizomenon

Less Common Planktothrix Cylindrospermopsis

Occasional Coelosphaerium Woronichinia Numerous other genera

Microcystis sp.

Anabaena sp.

Anabaena sp.

Aphanizomenon sp.

Planktothrix sp.

Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii

Common Algal Toxins Hepatotoxins

Microcystins (Microcystis, Anabaena, Planktothrix) Nodularin (Nodularia, Microcystis?) Cylindrospermopsin (Cylindrospermopsis, Aphanizomenon)

Neurotoxins Anatoxin-a (Anabaena, Planktothrix, Aphanizomenon) Anatoxin-a(s) (Anabaena) Saxitoxins (Anabaena, Aphanizomenon, Lyngbya,

Cylindrospermopsis, some Dinoflagellates) Icthyotoxin (unnamed) (Euglena sanguinea)

Dermatotoxins Lipopolysaccharides (all species) Aplysiatoxins (Planktothrix, Lyngbya) Lyngbyatoxin-a (Lyngbya)

BMAA (>90% of spp. beta-methylamino-alanine)

Algal Toxicosis Symptoms Hepatotoxins

Weakness, Lethargy Anorexia, gastroenteritis Pallor of extremities and mucous membranes Mental derangement Photosensitivity (sub-lethal dose)

Neurotoxins Lethargy, muscle tremors Respiratory distress, cyanosis Paralysis, numbness in extremities

Dermatotoxins Rashes, skin irritation Mucous membrane irritation/inflammation Asthma-like symptoms (aerosols)

Formulae Courtesy Wikipedia Commons

= 730 ug/L

= 106 ug/L

In The Beginning… There Is Eutrophication

Causes of Blooms Excess Nutrients

Especially Phosphorus Solar Energy

Highest in Summer Literature Often Cites…

Hot Temperatures and Still Water, but… The Data just don’t show a strong connection

Even though incidence is highest in summer and in lakes (standing waters)

In Summary

Blooms used to be noticed when coincident with fishkills or T&O events….. Now they get notice on their own merits They are increasing (due to both occurrence

frequency and reporting frequency) And they do have health implications (as well as

many others, ecological and economic) People should know what to look for, use

common sense, and realize both the root cause (nutrient pollution), and the solution (prevention), rests with us

Safety Safety is largely a matter of common sense

Limit or avoid direct exposure Gloves for collecting Goggles or face shield if you wish Avoid eating/drinking until you can clean up Aerosols vs. odors Change clothes if contaminated (wash separate) Shower after water contact

Even though blooms represent a health risk, context is needed Risk can be reduced without staying home Other risks in comparison

Oh dear…. I’m afraid I may have some bad news, Earnest.

Ed Carney

Limnologist & Algal Taxonomist, retired

The End

Photo Susan Abbott ACOE