How Does Algae Affect Columbus's Water?
According to articles from FOX 8 News and News Channel 5, these algae are more than just an eyesore in Lake Erie near Cleveland. The scientific name for these blooms is cyanobacteria, which, despite the name “algae,” are actually bacteria that thrive in warm, nutrient-rich water. These bacteria can cause your water to have a moldy, almost dirty taste.
In this article from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS), the greater Columbus area, Lake Erie may not be directly tied to local drinking water sources and recreation, however the watersheds near Columbus can become affected by the extended periods of time that these blooms last. During summer months, typically from July through October, cyanobacterial blooms often increase in the western basin of the lake, fueled by warmer water temperatures and excess phosphorus run-off from agricultural lands, urban areas, and stormwater systems.
These blooms can form visible mats or scum on the water’s surface, producing cyanotoxins that are harmful to humans, pets, and wildlife if ingested or contacted. Local water utilities, including Cleveland’s, position their raw water intakes farther offshore and deeper in the water column to reduce the immediate impact of surface algae and plastics. However, during intense blooms and periods of lower oxygen in deeper water, dissolved metals like manganese may also be released from the lakebed, complicating treatment processes.
Recent articles posted by Great Lakes Now blooms are lasting longer in Lake Erie - some seasons now stretching beyond earlier boundaries, homeowners using lake-influenced systems or private wells near affected waters should remain vigilant. Water testing and advanced treatment technologies, such as activated carbon filtration or membrane systems, can provide added protection against cyanotoxins and improve overall water safety and quality.
What Are Algae Blooms?
Blue-green algae, also referred to as algae blooms or algal blooms, are a slimy green substance that forms a layer of scum on the surface of bodies of water like ponds, lakes, and in some cases the ocean. The scientific term for the substance is cyanobacteria, and it is, in fact, not algae at all. Blue-green algae is a bacteria that most often shows up in summer when temperatures are warmer. Warm weather creates the proper environment for the green slime to grow in warmer waters.
The blue-green algal blooms form in bodies of water due to excess nutrient levels. The primary nutrients that cause the blooms are nitrogen and phosphorus. Naturally occurring amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus already exist in the environment, but we add more of these nutrients to water sources through practices like fertilizing yards and farmlands. When the nutrients are added to the soil, they are deposited into water by way of the hydrological cycle. This can cause an oversupply of nitrogen and phosphorus in the bodies of water making the right conditions for algal blooms to form.
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