Algae, cyanobacteria (sometimes spelled cynobacteria) and water quality combine to create an interesting environmental issue for humans. Algae is a natural part of the water cycle, in lakes and ponds especially. The cyanobacteria problem is more of an environmental problem from feedlot and non-organic crop-land runoff. Better agricultural practices can help reduce cyanobacteria which will reduce human health problems. Water quality is important and we need to do everything we can to preserve a high water quality.
Water quality is a hot button issue with many environmental groups. The reason that it is so important is because the water quality is continually becoming worse in many areas around the world, which could become a severe problem if things are not done to remedy this. Algae, cyanobacteria, and water quality are three things that you do not want to see in the same grouping, because if they grow unchecked, this could mean health problems for you and your family and a decrease in the water quality in your area.
Algae, cyanobacteria, and water quality can live together with no problem under the right conditions, due to the fact that algae and cyanobacteria are naturally occurring organisms. The problem occurs when they undergo a process called bloom. Bloom is when specific water nutrient levels, especially phosphorous, are high. This causes the organisms to grow wildly, which can clog pipes and other intake sources in addition to making the water look very dirty and polluted. These blooms die and decay after a while and this can cause the water to smell and, because the dying organisms decrease the oxygen in the water, the fish in the water can be affected or even killed.
Algae alone is not a health concern for people. Algae does not produce toxic substances that can harm you, it is just not pleasing to the eye or palate. However, cyanobacteria produce some very toxic pollutants that can cause you to become very ill or it could even be fatal. These toxins are called cyanotoxins and they are categorized in two different groups, depending upon what kind of affect that they may cause. Neurotoxins and hepatotoxins are the two different groups that cyanotoxins can fall into.
Neurotoxins affect the body's nervous system and hepatotoxins affect the body's liver system. How can you prevent your water from becoming a breeding ground for the bloom of algae or cyanobacteria? There are several different steps that you can take to help protect yourself.
The first step in algae and cyanobacteria is preventing the organisms from growing in the first place. One way that you can do this is to try to keep the water as free from nutrients as possible. Reducing runoff is a good step, because this will help keep fertilizers and pesticides out of the water, which can cause bloom. Of course, if you don't use pesticides and most commercial fertilizers runoff won't be as much of a problem anyway. Another tip is to refrain from watering your livestock directly out of your water source. They can transfer nutrients into the water, which could cause bloom if the conditions are right.
Aerating the water can help algae, cyanobacteria, and water quality as well. By making sure that the water is moving and maintaining a constant temperature on the top and bottom of the water, you can help keep the algae and cyanobacteria from bloom. Aeration will also prevent the algae and cyanobacteria from death or decay, which can deplete the oxygen level in the water.
Chemical treatment options are available to treat bloom if you cannot prevent it from occurring. Four different chemicals can be used, including copper sulfate, lime, alum, or ferric chloride. The last three chemicals listed bind with the algae and cyanobacteria to form clumps that settle to the bottom of the water source. Copper sulfate does not work well on algae, but it does kill the cyanobacteria. You need to get your water tested to determine whether you are affected by algae or cyanobacteria.
Algae, cyanobacteria, and water quality are very closely linked. Of course, algae and cyanobacteria are not the only things that you need to be concerned with, but they are naturally occurring organisms that can cause your water quality to significantly decrease.
