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About Algae
What are Algae?
Algae Problems And Algae Control
Solution
What are Algae?
Algae are a diverse group of plants that occur in a wide range of
environmental habitats. They are photosynthetic plants that contain
chlorophyll, have simple reproductive structures, and
their tissues are not differentiated into true roots, stems or
leaves. They range from unicellar, or single cells, to fairly
complex multicellular organisms Some algae have such a complex
growth that they are mistaken for vascular plants - Chara would be
one such
Example. The size of average individual microscopic unicellar algal
plants is approximately 0.0010 mm in diameter.
Algae are found throughout the world and can cause nuisance problems
in water treatment plants, drinking water supplies, receiving water
ponds, swimming pools, cooling towers.
The
extermination of algae is a problem, which has kept people busy
since time immemorial.
Algae are microscopic
single-celled forms of plant life which thrive in sunshine. They are
present on vegetation, in the air, in the soil, and in water. Their
microscopic spores are continuously introduced into pools and other
bodies of water by wind, dust storms, rain showers, etc. They grow
rapidly in stagnant waters when exposed to sunlight and temperatures
above 4 degrees Celsius. They can form objectionable slime and/or
odors. They can interfere with proper filtration and greatly
increase chlorine demand. Phosphates and nitrates in the water
encourage their growth.
Algae growth occur in
three basic forms: planktonic, filamentous and macrophytic.
Planktonic algae are
single-celled, microscopic plants that float freely in the water.
When these plants are extremely abundant or "bloom," they make the
pond water turn green. Less often, they can turn the water other
colors, including yellow, gray, brown or red.
Filamentous algae are
sometimes referred to as "thread algae" or "pond scum." Filamentous
algae occur as fine green threads that form floating mats, which are
often moved around the pond by wind. These algae are also commonly
found attached to rocks, submerged trees, other aquatic plants and
boat docks.
Macrophytic algae
resemble true plants in that they appear to have stems and leaves
and are attached to the bottom. A commonly-occurring macrophytic
algae is called Chara or musk grass (due to its strong musky odor.)
Chara feels coarse to the touch, because of lime deposits on its
surface, earning it another common name -- stonewort.
Algae Problems.
The
extermination of algae is a problem, which has kept people busy
since time immemorial.
For the most part,
algae are of little value to your pond or lake. The
filamentous and plank tonic forms can reproduce at phenomenal rates,
and sudden die-offs can cause oxygen depletion. The necessary
oxygen required in fish ponds or lakes can be supplied by other
aquatic plant life in the water basin, which would flourish without
algae competition.
Algae problems are
usually caused by an overabundance of nutrients (nitrogen and
phosphorous) in the pond. From the moment a pond is built, it
becomes a settling basin for nutrients washing in from the land that
drains into it (the pond's watershed). The older a pond gets, the
more nutrients it has accumulated and the more susceptible it is to
algae problems. Runoff from fertilized fields, lawns and pastures,
feedlots, septic tanks and leach fields accelerate nutrient loading
and algae growth in the pond.
Excessive algae growth
will starve or strangle other forms of aquatic plant life, as well
as block out sunlight necessary for their proper growth. Taste and
odor problems in drinking water and sometimes even fish kills are
associated with excessive blooms of plank tonic algae. Filamentous
algae and macrophytic algae often form dense growths that make
fishing, swimming, and other recreational uses nearly impossible.
Total coverage can restrict sunlight penetration and limit the
production of oxygen and food items necessary for good fish growth.
When algae abundance interferes with the intended use of the pond, a
control method should be considered.
Algae Control
Algae control by various means which do not give the wanted results
Mats of filamentous
algae may be removed with a rake, screen wire, or similar devices.
However, this control method is very labor intensive and provides
only temporary control. In some instances, the algae may seem to
grow as fast as they are pulled out.
Before using chemicals,
you should consider potential contamination of domestic water
supplies and the waiting periods for watering livestock, eating fish,
swimming and irrigation.
A "biological control"
is when one form of life is used to control another or the balance
of life is manipulated in some way to adversely affect an
undesirable pest. It is wise to be very cautious when deciding on
the use of a biological control. It can backfire when the introduced
species becomes more of a problem than the original pest.
Barley Straw has been
tested in England by the Centre for Aquatic Plant Management for the
control of plank tonic and filamentous algae. This testing has been
ongoing over the last 15 years. Barley Straw
and other straws have been
used sporadically in the United States, with very mixed results, and
will not totally eliminate the problem.
Solution
There is now a new way to control algae.
It
is environmentally friendly, cost effective and chemicals free. This
not so revolutionary approach in algae control. Uses a
technology to destroy algae cells, which was already tried out
some decades ago. However the way ultrasonic waves had to be
produced at that time was too costly to make it a marketable
product. After a long time ultrasonic vibrations, which are
inaudible to humans and no threat to people, animals or fish,
are now available and made payable for all parties, who want to get
rid of algae and some other micro organisms.
The LG
Sonic XXL, XL, SSS, TANK, and the POOL destroy nearly all forms
of algae, with minimal impact on the aquatic environment!
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