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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