How easy is it to exterminate Blue Green Algae from rivers?

Question

Like is it easy to get rid of? If not, why not? Do they bloom quickly? What would be the best method to removing blue green algae?

Answer 1

The algae I think you are referring to is caused by rain run off, farm and lawn fertilizers and sometimes a mixture of farm and sewer waste. (This does not mean it is raw sewage though.) It is a MAJOR problem in any watershed and can be difficult to get rid of. When the algae is young, it is the blue green color you speak of, as it consumes the oxygen in the water (fresh or salt) it starts to turn red or sometimes brick colored. When this happens, it will block the sunlight from natural underwater vegetation and stop the process of photosynthesis and cut off oxygen to fish and other aquatic fauna. DO NOT allow small children, pets or yourself to swim in a water source experiencing a "Red Tide" as it can cause bacterial infections, diarrhea and sometimes skin rashes. This is about the extent of my knowledge on the topic.... I live in Florida where this is a problem around the Gulf of Mexico and grew up on Lake Champlain in Vermont where again agricultural run off and lawn fertilizer created the same condition.

I feel that it is an EXTREMELY important issue as it has an adverse impact on travel/tourism and sustainable fisheries. Two summers ago in Sarasota, FL fish were being cleaned off the beach by the TON, if that is not a major problem, what is?!!