When algae is present in very high numbers, water quality can be severely affected as when they die the decaying algae may reduce the amount of oxygen dissolved in the water and cause aquatic animals to struggle to breathe and maybe even die. High levels of algae can affect water quality by causing peculiar tastes and odours, discolouration and unsightly scums. Algae can be a nuisance as they can be present on the sides of tanks and drinking troughs and may be in thick, tangled masses in low-lying swampy areas. Algae can also clog filters, meters, valves and trickle irrigation lines. In low numbers, algae are not usually a problem and are in fact an essential part of a healthy body of water. Algae produce oxygen and are a source of food for many aquatic animals. To complicate things, high levels of blue–green algae do not always colour the water blue or green. The water can look yellow, brown, red, blue or green, or there may be no visible colour change at all.Īn earthy, musty or sulphuric smell may accompany high levels of blue-green algae, however high levels of blue-green algae may be present when there is no obvious smell at all. Not all algae are dangerous. There are many types of algae that can cause the water to change colour but are just harmless plants. The only way to tell if algae are harmful is to look at a water sample under a microscope. The technically correct term for them is cyanobacteria, however they almost always more commonly referred to as blue-green algae. One type of algae, known as blue-green algae, has the potential to be harmful as they can make people and animals sick.īlue-green algae are not plants but are actually photosynthetic bacteria. Algae are a diverse group of mostly aquatic plants that can be found in both salt and fresh water.
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