Don"t go swimming anywhere near these types of waters! - http://clapway.com/2015/07/13/blue-green-algae-outbreak-across-the-country-245/

Lakes and other bodies of water across the country are being affected by a blue-green algae. This is causing officials to close bodies of water used for swimming to ensure the safety of the populace as blue-green algae can be very harmful to the health of humans, as well as pets.

Effects of Blue-Green Algae on the Body

According to the Vermont Health Department, the blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, produce a toxin which, if it were to come in contact with the skin, could cause eye irritation as well as throat irritation, numb lips, tingling fingers and toes, and dizziness.

Longer exposure and the consuming of the tainted water could cause gastrointestinal distress and illness such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as well as liver damage which could potentially take days for symptoms to show up in an individual. More extreme cases could bring about seizures, breathing problems and other unexplained illnesses.

Blue-green algae is particularly fatal to pets much more so than people. The water should not be swam in, let alone used for drinking or cooking without treatment. It should be stated that boiling water that has blue-green algae in it will not completely dispose of the toxins, and using it in any way should be avoided if at all possible.

What are the affected areas?

Presently, the blue-green algae is relatively contained. Cases of it were found in New Brunswick lakes as well as Smithville Lake in Smithville, Missouri. Officials believe it is likely to spread to other parts of the country with the next likely outbreak to occur in Pennsylvania’s Lake Erie.

Precautions Against Blue-Green Algal Waters

Every effort should be taken to avoid bodies of water that have the blue-green algae in them. Often times the infected lakes are not closed to boaters, though if one wants to avoid contact with the water, one should definitely avoid such activities. Anyone planning to enjoy a day at a local beach or lake should confirm with officials that the water is free and clear of the dangerous cyanobacteria.

If affected by the water, individuals should call non-emergency services or their doctor if the situation of the symptoms is not dire. If in a very serious state, people should see their doctor immediately.

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Blue-Green Algae Outbreak Across the Country

New Form of Algae Detection Emerges - http://clapway.com/2015/07/10/new-form-of-algae-detection-emerges654/

Determining blue-green algae hotspots could soon become a lot easier.

New research has emerged from the Laurentian University in Sudbury on determining new forms to test for algae in bodies of water. This new study has come from three years’ worth of research, and will involve direct scraping of algae itself instead of current methods of testing of the body of water that the algae is located in. One of the researchers, Charles Ramcharan, attests that this way of testing cuts result time in half, and can be done less frequently than current practices, which will allow for more time to analyze and work on possible solutions.

Ramcharan says, “It also means that we do a lot less work because we can go out and sample maybe once or twice a year. [We are] able to use the algae as sort of a long-term monitoring tool.”

Changing Algae Detection, Interaction, and Defense

Revolutionizing the way that algae is detected will vastly improve the ways that the scientific community is able to interact with the specimens. By being able to monitor the algae closer instead of simply relying on data determined from the algae’s body of water means that the data will be more accurate and precise in allowing for science to determine possible triggers and defenses against mass algae outbreaks.

This research also comes at a time when algae levels are predicted to rise dramatically. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts “the 2015 western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom season will be among the most severe in recent years and could become the second most severe behind the record-setting 2011 bloom.” If Ramcharan’s research is accepted, the new method of algae detection would mark a new defense against this natural phenomenon.

So, What Are Harmful Algae Blooms?

Blue-green algae is a form of harmful algae blooms, or HAB in the scientific community. Toxic algae can be harmful to humans, by causing several lesser-known illnesses such as Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning, which is usually diagnosed in Canada. It is not known what causes these toxic algae blooms. However, these new forms of testing, as well as our knowledge of possible environmental triggers, will allow for us to be that much closer in solving this mystery.

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New Form of Algae Detection Emerges

U.S.:Algae Blooms Cause Water Quality Problems - http://clapway.com/2015/05/26/u-s-algae-blooms-cause-water-quality-problems-123/

Algae blooms in the Great Lakes cause water quality problems every year and now more than $500,000 in state monies has been allocated to use to monitor and test the waters in the lake. In addition, the US Geological Survey (USGS) is setting up thirteen stream gauges in various parts of Lake Erie to aid in the monitoring system.

Algae Blooms Toxic to Human and Animals

Algae blooms have caused serious water quality problems in the past. For example, in August 2014, a half-million water customers in Toledo, Ohio, and part of Michigan couldn’t use their water for three days when a toxic algae bloom was seen to travel into the area. It was discovered that microcystin, created by cyanobacteria, had poisoned the water system at levels considered dangerous to humans by the World Health Organization.

USGS to Run Initiative to Monitor Water System for Water Quality Problems

The US Geological Survey will be in charge of monitoring the Great Lakes area waters for water quality problems, as they have access to special software called the National Water Information System (NWIS), which aids in acquiring, processing, and storing information about the nation’s water supplies.

While the USGS is now in charge of this venture, the US Army Corps of Engineers will end its jobs as the agency that warns people about blue-green algae water quality problems. Instead of travel into affected areas to sample the suspected toxic algae bloom or posting warning signs, they plan to put up permanent signs that describe how to interpret a possible algae bloom and determine its toxicity. It was thought that the temporary signs used previously caused the public to think algae blooms only happened at specific times, when they can actually show up at any time or place. However, they will still travel to lakes and other waterways that are managed by the US Forest Service and those that belong to some other agencies.

Money Will Help Form Strategy to Address Algae Blooms

The monies that have been allocated for the Great Lakes region will help with monitoring water quality problems, as well as to develop a strategy to handle algae bloom problems when they occur. It is hoped that by collecting data and monitoring, that the area can be kept clean of toxic algae blooms. The funding for the program to help with the water quality problems caused by the deadly algae blooms was especially marked for use by the USGS.

U.S.:Algae Blooms Cause Water Quality Problems