Green Algae
Picture from here
This is updated from an old post but I have made it public because I think it bears repeating. Check your areas for this.
A lake in Kansas was closed in 2003 because of a green slime.
Scientists from OKlahoma University and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers,say the event should serve as a wake up call to take better care of lakes and streams.
The results of the survey found high concentrations of blue-green algae, some known to produce toxins, in all four area lakes studied.
They have said here that poultry run off waste is causing it but there is also human waste in a lot of the lakes due to houseboats even though they are restricting use of bathrooms on boats now at Grand Lake. I don't know about other lakes.
The neurotoxins produced by blue-green algae can cause nausea, vomiting and itchiness on contact or ingestion.
Local officials have adopted protocols developed by the World Health Organization to determine when it issue algae-related public health warnings.
Local officials have adopted protocols developed by the World Health Organization to determine when it issue algae-related public health warnings.
But and this is a big but, no U.S. state or local agency classifies or otherwise offers guidance in regards to the blue-green algae concentration.
They are aware that the numbers are present at levels that would trigger some sort of posting in other parts of the world.
This lake was considered low risk in the same months of 2001. Providing information to swimmers when it is low risk, is considered adequate under the WHO (World Health Organization) guidelines. The only time I saw a sign up about green algae was after a child died from it a couple of years ago. If you swim and get it in your system by getting water in your mouth or nose it is toxic and more so for children.
There is a new type of blue-green algae that is new to the area. It is rather an invasive species. This is here in Okla.
It used to be restricted to Africa and Australia. In the last 10 to 15 years it has been found in Europe and the U.S. but it hasn't produced toxins here like in Australia and they don't know why. Most of the algae blooms occur from July to September, of course, when it is hottest. (logical)
There is a new type of blue-green algae that is new to the area. It is rather an invasive species. This is here in Okla.
It used to be restricted to Africa and Australia. In the last 10 to 15 years it has been found in Europe and the U.S. but it hasn't produced toxins here like in Australia and they don't know why. Most of the algae blooms occur from July to September, of course, when it is hottest. (logical)
They are now saying during July through September you should take a shower when you get out of the lake and wear nose plugs and ear plugs if you go under.
There are going to be blooms at every lake. As par they say that they hope it doesn't get to the point where they have to close the lake for something to be done.
So I will take my chances with chlorine and Kids peeing in the pool any day.
I did a search and put in blue-green algae and came up with hits in several other states. So you might do a search on your state or lakes combined with blue-green algae and keep an eye on what is going on. Because I assume as always there will be several deaths before anything is done anywhere.
There are going to be blooms at every lake. As par they say that they hope it doesn't get to the point where they have to close the lake for something to be done.
So I will take my chances with chlorine and Kids peeing in the pool any day.
I did a search and put in blue-green algae and came up with hits in several other states. So you might do a search on your state or lakes combined with blue-green algae and keep an eye on what is going on. Because I assume as always there will be several deaths before anything is done anywhere.
This article was taken from Curtis Killman at the Tulsa World.
