Info on Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB)

Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB's) have started spreading all over Utah Lake. 

What is  a HAB

- HAB or cyano bloom is the term for the explosive growth of certain species of photosynthetic cyanobacteria, these then releasee toxins into the water.  

- Cyanobacteria are already a part of the natural algae community seen in lakes and ponds, however, when conditions are favorable towards them, large rapid growth will start occurring. 

What causes these Blooms

- Blooms actually happen naturally in initial mountain lakes and impaired urban waterways. 

- In certain conditions (usually warmer waters with higher portions or phosphorus and nitrogen) blooms will happen more often.

- Scientists have noticed as global temperatures are getting higher blooms are increasing at a very high rate.

- Nitrogen and Phosphorus are the common pollutants that come from sewage treatment plants, erosion, and urban and agricultural runoff. 

How to try and prevent Blooms 

- Proper land management and investing in new technologies to treat wastewater can reduce the likelihood of blooms. 

- Reduce the amount of fertilizer used on your lawn. 

- Use phosphorus-free fertilizer when possible. 

- Fix leaking septic systems. 

- Use phosphorus-free detergents in dishwashers. 

- Keep yard debris such as leaves or grass clippings from washing into storm drains. 

- Pick up your pet's waste. 

Are they dangerous

- Certain species of cyanobacteria (including Dolichospermum, Aphanizomenon, Cylindrospermopsis, Microsystis, and Ocillatoria) can release toxins into the water which can be dangerous to both humans and their pets. 

- Some of these neurotoxins can cause immediate sickness or death while others can lead to long-term kidney or liver damage. 

How to identify a cyanobacteria 

- Cyanobacteria blooms often look like spilled paint or powdery green colors in lakes. 

- They are actually easy to identify I will put pictures. 

- In the picture beside, you can see it is like a powder green color. So pretty easy to see. 

Note - all of these are just notes for me to keep my thoughts straight and serve as notes for my research. 

All of this information can be found on this website: https://extension.usu.edu/waterquality/Learnaboutlakes/hab/index