Monday, July 2, 2018

Lake Erie Blue-Green Algae Bloom, July 2, 2018



This image shows an aerial view of Lake Erie taken in 2011 of a toxic blue-green algae bloom. The neon green of the algal bloom can be seen coating the surface of the dark blue water of the lake. The bright neon green swirly algae has tendrils that stretch a great distance of the lake in this image. Some almost stretching across the entire width in some places. Most of the algae is concentrated around the coast between the blue lake and the brown/green land.
This image is important because these algal blooms can cause harm and even death in humans or animals that swim in these areas. Algal blooms also impact the water quality and the organisms that live in the water. Phosphorus is the main factor that contributes to algal blooms. When the algae feed they take many essential nutrients out of the water. Most important of all is the large quantity of oxygen taken from the lake. This high decrease in oxygen kills other plants and aquatic organisms. The algal blooms are indicators of runoff from agriculture (fertilizers, animal waste), wastewater treatments plants, and industry. This image could be used in researching methods to decrease these blooms. Such as, if implementing new policy on fertilizer runoff  impacts the size/amount of algal blooms.

Links to relevant website(s):


Images of Mendota/Monona algal bloom: http://blooms.uwcfl.org/mendota/

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