Identification of Lake Erie ATL Samples 1  

Algae samples were taken from algae turf scrubbing (ATL) systems in Lake Erie, and

various tests were performed on them. The following report identifies key algae species within

these ATS samples.

Table 1: Algae Identified *further explanation of certainty after table

Algae Name Picture Certainty

1:Not Certain, 3: Certain

Notes

Bangia

3

- multiple rows of cells within a sheath1

- can be a purple to rust color (was observed in 10x) - found in the Great Lakes1

Cladophora

3

- regularly branched filament - chloroplasts are “mesh-like” - found many times in fresh, flowing water1

Closteridium

3

- crescent shape - chloroplast is parietal and covers most of the cell3

Cybella

3

- diatom - mainly observed as cells in a sheath - asymmetrical shape1

Identification of Lake Erie ATL Samples 2  

Diatoms

3

- many types of diatoms were observed - the ones that were most present are identified in this table

Fragilaria

3

- diatom - narrow cells forming a ribbon-like filament2

Lyngbya*

1

- observed as clear, long strings - several strands connected at end - were mainly found in July & Aug. samples

Microspora*

2

- unbranched - chloroplasts vary greatly, even within filaments1

- cells break into “H-shaped” fragments

Mougeotia*

2

- unbranched - chloroplasts ribbon-like - smaller than the algae ID’ed as Microspora - common in lakes1

Oscillatoria

3

- unbranched, round ends - no obvious sheath3 (none observed) - form mats, but none were observed

Identification of Lake Erie ATL Samples 3  

Pediastrum

3

- cells form colonies - outside cells are spiked - found in fresh water3 - only seen once, but looked cool

Schizomeris*

1

- observed as “bark-like,” with cells compact into many layers - only observed about 4 times

Spirogyra

3

- spiral, parietal chloroplasts - zygospores and conjugation were observed in 7-24 ATS2 M - common in flowing waters1

Ulothrix*

2

- short cells with parietal chloro. - U. zonata is largest group, found on wave-washed shores

*The algae identified as Lyngbya was observed mainly as clear, but could have small cells inside.

Lyngbya species in North America “require further research and revision,”1 due to the similarities with

Oscillatoria.

*There was often trouble identifying and distinguishing Microspora and Mougeotia due to their

similar appearance. The deciding factors were that Microspora created “H-shaped” fragments on the end,

and Mougeotia had ribbon-like chloroplasts. These factors were decided after reading the various

descriptions of each from the reference material.

*Schizomeris has microscopic filaments and can be found in fast moving water such as

waterfalls1, which is why it was chosen to loosely identify the “bark-like” algae.

*Most of the time, algae was identified as Ulothrix when it looked like the picture above.

However, sometimes filaments were wider and larger that the picture, but had the same characteristics.

These could be different species of Ulothrix.

Identification of Lake Erie ATL Samples 4  Table 2: Unknown Algae

Picture Notes

- has irregular, cylindrical cells with seemingly parietal chloroplasts - the unusual end was not identified, however it is probably a key identification characteristic

- has the “H” shape like Microspora, but the chloroplast were nothing like the other species observed. - the two chloroplasts and cell shape resembled that of Zygogonium. However Zygogonium has star-like chloroplasts.

- clear, green filament without visible cells inside - one end has an orange “puff” and the other end is simply the filament - might be an insignificant finding

Concluding Thoughts The bottom and middle samples were cluttered with diatoms and had a wide range of species

present. This could be because it is at the end of the moving water, and all of the algae that could not

handle the fast water at the top were pushed to the end of the track. The top samples always had the

branched Cladophora as the dominant species, with few other species present (not cluttered). Most of the

diatoms present in the top samples were in the form of a chain, which could be because they are stronger

that way and were able to withstand the fast moving water at the top.

Identification of Lake Erie ATL Samples 5  

References

1 Wehr, J.D., & Sheath, R.G (Eds.). 2003. Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and

Classification. San Diego, California: Academic Press.

2 Prescott, G.W. 1978. How to Know the Freshwater Algae (3rd ed.). United States: WCB

Company Publishers.

3 Lewis, Emily. Key to Freshwater Algae. 2010. Information retrieved from algaekey.com.