What is Toxic Bluegreen Algae

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What is Toxic Blue-green Algae?

• Algae are microscopic plants occurring in all
  waters
• Under the right combination of warmer water
  temperatures and nutrients (mainly phosphorus)
  nuisance algal populations can dominate a lake
• Although technically not true algae, what is
  referred to as toxic blue green algae refers to
  certain species of cyanobacteria that have the
  ability to produce toxins

May Contain Toxins Test Water
Note Paint Like appearance
Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae
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What Does Toxic Algae Look Like?

• Water that has a neon green, pea green,
  blue-green or reddish-brown color.
• Water that has a bad odor.
• Foam, scum or a thick paint-like appearance on
  the water surface.
• Green or blue-green streaks on the surface, or
  accumulations in bays, coves and along
  shorelines.

May Contain Toxins Test Water
Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae
3
This is Algae
Planktonic (Free Floating) Algae
Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae
May Contain Toxins Test Water
4
This is Algae
Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae
May Contain Toxins Test Water
May appear as streaks (top of photo) or
concentrate along shoreline with prevailing
winds (bottom of photo)
Wind Direction
5
This is Algae
Cyanobacteria/Blue-Green Algae
May Contain Toxins Test Water
Note Foam, scum, green/blue-green colors
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Blue-green algae in lab culture
Note Color of water Surface scums
NU/IANR Photo
7
This is Algae
Filamentous Green Algae Hair/Carpet
like appearance NOT Toxic
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Blue-green and Filamentous Green Algae

Possibly Toxic
Note Paint vs. Carpet like appearance
Not Toxic
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Not Algae
Lemna or Duckweed
Small Floating Green Plants 1-3 mm in size
NOT Toxic
10
Not Algae
Rooted plants growing from bottom of lake
Ability to form mats on surface NOT Toxic
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Private Lake Concerns

• Contact University of Nebraska Water Quality
  Extension Program
• Enroll in the Volunteer Monitoring Program and
  obtain a test kit by contacting Tadd Barrow (402)
  472-7783

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Public Lake Concerns

• Contact Nebraska Department of Environmental
  Quality Surface Water Unit [phone] or
  [phone]
• Numerous public lakes throughout the state are
  sampled weekly. Every Friday the results are
  updated on the NDEQ website

http//www.deq.state.ne.us/
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For More Detailed Information

• Go to the FACT SHEET hyperlink located on the
  Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality
  website at
• http//www.deq.state.ne.us/

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Tips on what to do and things to avoid

• Be aware of areas with thick concentrations of
  blue-green algae and keep animals and children
  away from the water
• Do not swim or wade in water containing visible
  blue-green algae. Avoid direct contact with
  blue-green algae
• Make sure children are supervised at all times
  when they are near the water
• If you come into contact with blue-green algae,
  rinse off with fresh water as soon as possible
• Do not boat or water ski through blue-green algae
  blooms
• Do not drink the water, and avoid any situation
  that could lead to swallowing the water