Blue Green Algae Solutions - Eco Pond Rescue

A Beginner's Guide to Water Management - Aquatic Plants in Florida Lakes
Lakewatch - University Of Florida Circular 111 - http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/LWcirc.html
FULL TEXT

Control the weeds! Once these simple words are uttered at a Florida lake, controversy often
soon follows. Why? Quarrels typically break out between and among user-groups, scientists, and
management/regulatory agencies over whether there is a “weed problem” and whether the problem needs to be managed. If agreement is reached that management is
necessary, quarrels then tend to erupt over how much aquatic vegetation should be controlled. If the desirable level of vegetation management can be established,
additional quarrels then develop over how to achieve those levels. Should nutrient control be instituted? Should aquatic herbicides be used or should mechanical harvesting be
used? Should biological controls like grass carp be used? Should a combination of management techniques be used? Faced with what seem to be unending questions and
controversies, many Floridians and some government agencies often choose the “Do Nothing” or “Delay” option.

Doing nothing or delaying a decision are viable options when it comes to managing aquatic weed problems, but the history of aquatic plant management in Florida has shown
that these options should not be chosen at the wrong time or for the wrong reason. When nothing is done or delay occurs beyond a reasonable time because of fear of the unknown, the abundance of aquatic plants in Florida’s waters can reach truly problematic levels. Powerful political forces
may then be unleashed. Soon “something” shall be done to solve the “problem” even if the political solution will create more problems at a later date!

A Beginners Guide To Water Management - The ABC's Circular 101

Lakewatch - University Of Florida Circular 111 - http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu/LWcirc.html
FULL TEXT

Algae
are a wide variety of tiny, often microscopic, plants (or plant-like organisms) that live both in water and on land. The word algae is plural (pronounced AL-jee), and alga is the singular form (pronounced AL-gah). One common way to classify water-dwelling algae is based on where
they live. Using this system, three types of algae are commonly defined as follows:

phytoplankton (also known as planktonic
algae) float freely in the water;
periphyton are attached to aquatic vegetation
or other structures; and
benthic algae grow on the bottom or bottom
sediments.

Commonly Used in Water Management Algae may further be described as being colonial which means they grow together in colonies, or as being filamentous which means they form hair-like strands. The most common forms of algae are also described by their colors: green, blue-green, red, and yellow. All these classifications may be used together. For example, to describe blue-green, hair-like algae that are attached to an underwater rock, you could refer to them as “blue-green filamentous periphyton.” In addition to describing types of algae, it is useful to measure quantity. The amount of algae in a waterbody is often called algal biomass.

Plant Management in Florida Waters - Algae

University of Florida - http://plants.ifas.ufl.edu - FULL TEXT

Algae are a diverse group of organisms which survive in all different types of habitats. From the dry desert, to the Arctic Circle, to boiling springs these organisms have found a way to extract enough from their environment to live in even the harshest surroundings. They range in size from microscopic to meters in length and in complexity from single-celled to complex organisms that would rival even large plants. Though these organisms may look like the true, "higher", plants, they are anything but, since they do not have roots or true stems and leaves.

Algae (AL-jee) is the plural form of alga (AL-gah) and most algae are primarily photosynthetic (make their own food). They are divided into two main groups:

1. Prokaryotes - are cells that do not have a nucleus or many other types of organelles found in eukaryotes. This group contains the blue-green algae (Cyanobacteria) and other bacteria in Kingdom Bacteria.
2. Eukaryotes - In essence, the cells of all other organisms contain nuclei and other organelles. All other Kingdoms are placed within this group (Protists, Fungi, Plants, and Animals).

Algae are one of the first steps of the food web. There are microscopic algae, like phytoplankton, and there are macroalgae, algae that can be seen by the naked eye. Algae occur naturally in all types of systems and may be considered indicators of ecosystem condition. Even the mere presence of a species can give an indication of the amount and type of nutrients that run through the system. Algae provide food for all types of animals, including fish, insects, mollusks, zooplankton (microscopic animals), and humans.

Toxic cyanobacteria in water: A guide to their public health consequences, monitoring and management

http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/resourcesquality/toxicyanbact/en/ - FULL TEXT

The threat posed by toxins from cyanobacteria to water supplies has increased world-wide during the past 30 years. Health problems attributed to the presence of such toxins in drinking water have been reported in a number of countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, England, South Africa and the USA.

This book, which has been prepared by an international group of experts, examines the need to protect drinking water, recreational waters and other water supplies from contamination by toxic cyanobacteria and to control their impact on health. It discusses the nature, diversity and global occurrence of toxic cyanobacteria, their consequences for public health, and methods for the assessment, management, investigation and treatment of contaminated water supplies. Programmes for monitoring the causes and occurrence of cyanobacteria in water and techniques for the analysis of water samples are described.

Toxic Algae: Should Floridians Be Worried?

http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu -Full Text

Toxic algae are an issue of increasing concern for scientists and community members alike. Especially in Florida, we hear and see media headlines claiming the dangers and adverse effects caused by toxic algae. The fear of these microscopic organisms is ever present and escalating,
therefore, gaining a better understanding and awareness of toxic algae will provide the average citizen with the ability to determine if these claims are a cause for concern.

The Toxic Algae Threat in Florida - A More Tempered View

Dr. Ed Phlips is a professor at UF's Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences program.
http://lakewatch.ifas.ufl.edu - FULL TEXT

Over the past few decades, research on water quality in the state of Florida has revealed numerous lakes that contain high concentrations of blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria). These algae are important components of aquatic food webs throughout the world and in Florida, they are often the most abundant form of algae in lakes. This is not surprising considering the sub-tropical climate in Florida and the high concentrations of nutrients present in many of Florida's waterbodies. As the oldest algal group on earth (dating back 3.2 billion years), they have long played a critical role in photosynthetic production in aquatic ecosystems.

Links

Green Water Labs Great Alage Identification Site
Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants - University Of Florida