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But this can be avoided, according to research from Dr. John H. Rodgers, Director of the Ecotoxicology Program at Clemson University, and a pioneer in the study of harmful algal blooms.
Many harmful algal blooms are produced by cyanobacteria (aka “blue-green algae”), a photosynthetic bacteria that can produce toxins.
Cyanobacteria can produce liver toxins, neurotoxins, and endotoxins. Fresh water diatoms, golden algae and some brown algae also produce toxins. Symptoms in humans and animals include muscle cramps, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, paralysis, cardiac or respiratory difficulty, and liver failure. Death for fish, wildlife or animals can occur within hours or days.
Drinking from ponds showing signs of a harmful algal bloom may prove fatal to pets, horses and livestock. Dr. Rodgers investigated an Angus cattle kill in North Georgia. Dr. Rodgers reports that the cattle were drinking from a farm pond and died from microcystins that were in the water.
Unfortunately, cattle and dogs willingly drink water affected by harmful algal blooms and even eat algae mats. Dogs are also put at risk when exposed to cyanobacteria after licking their fur after swimming in the water.
Capital Press, Jul 12, 2017
CNN, August 12, 2019
Fox 13, Sept 14 2018
“When in doubt, keep pets out.”
Learn more at cdc.gov/habs
Fish can also be susceptible to harmful algal blooms, especially in aquaculture. Dr. Rodgers noted an aquaculture farmer in Mississippi who lost one million fish in a day due to a harmful algal bloom. The associated cost for the farmer was $1 million.
Cyanotoxins can even affect marine mammals. Dr. Melissa Miller of California’s Department of Fish and Game was lead author of a paper documenting the death of 21 southern sea otters. Dr. Miller reported that the otters died of microcystin poisoning after eating shellfish with concentrated levels of the toxin. A freshwater lake a mile inland was affected by a blue-green algal bloom, and tributaries carried cyanobacteria to Monterey Bay.
Dr. Wilde AVM Research, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, University of Georgia
azcentral, Feb 5, 2018
Fox 13, Sept 14 2018
When a problem appears, early detection and rapid response are critical.
Water resource managers, including farmers and city officials, must be observant.
With early intervention and actively managing the situation, a potential algal bloom can be prevented altogether.
Aquashade® Aquatic Plant Growth Control is EPA registered to control algae under water.
Dead algae don’t produce toxins.
A successful short-term response uses algaecides to kill the algae. Copper-based formulations such as Cutrine ® Ultra or Algimycin® Algaecides have been proven to kill algae and cyanobacteria by interfering with enzyme production. Non-copper formulations like Phycomycin® SCP Algaecide are oxidizers, and quickly get to work, destroying the cell walls. A great way to determine which product to use is The Algal Challenge Test, which looks at the most effective algaecide to control algal concentration, while using the least amount, a prescriptive water management approach.
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