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Department of Ecology News Release - May 22, 2009
09-121
OLYMPIA – Blue skies, sunshine and warm temperatures aren't just making our lawns and gardens grow, they are also contributing to algae blooms in our state's fresh and marine waters.
An algae bloom is the visible appearance of millions of tiny plant-like organisms in the water.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) and many other jurisdictions are currently monitoring algae concentrations in waters across the state. Blooms are occurring right now in Anderson Lake and Lake Leland in Jefferson County, and in Waughop Lake in Pierce County. Marine waters are also showing blooms in parts of Hood Canal and Puget Sound.
With nice weather forecast for the weekend, people may encounter waters with visible algae blooms while they are enjoying the outdoors. Blooms are naturally occurring and common during sunny weather.
Some types of blooms can produce toxins that can make people sick if they are exposed to the toxins. This is especially true for small children and the elderly. Pets can die after drinking water with a toxic bloom.
Other types of blooms may not be toxic, but they can be an environmental concern because when algae die, they sink and decay, which strips oxygen from the water. Aquatic life needs oxygen to survive.
Sometimes algae blooms look like spilled paint, oil or sewage. The public can report any suspected spill or algae bloom to the state by calling 800-OILS-911. You can also learn more about lake algae and sign up to receive emails about lake algae blooms by visiting Ecology's Freshwater Algae Control Program Web site at: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/algae/index.html or visit King County's lakes Web site at: http://green.kingcounty.gov/lakes/Bloom.aspx.
Nutrients that get into our waters feed algae blooms. Nutrients, which are substances that contain nitrogen and/or phosphorus, come from a complex variety of natural and human sources and pathways, including wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, groundwater, rivers, fertilizers and polluted runoff.
Ecology is taking steps in Puget Sound to determine how human activities along with natural factors affect nutrient and low dissolved oxygen levels. Ecology's South Puget Sound Dissolved Oxygen Study is helping determine how humans impact this natural process. The study will inform actions to improve water quality.
People can help keep nutrients out of Washington waters.
To learn more about what you can do to keep our waters clean, visit Ecology's water education website, Washington Waters – Ours to Protect at www.ecy.wa.gov/washington_waters/
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Note to editors: Images of algae blooms included.
Photo & video #1: This photograph and video taken by scientists of the Department of Ecology's marine monitoring program shows a bloom of tiny zooplankton called Noctiluca, common in Puget Sound. The scientists captured these images at Puget Sound's Discovery Bay in July 2008. The shadow over the water is from a float plane the program uses. Department of Ecology photo. www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2009news/images/redalgae.jpg
YouTube video of this bloom: www.youtube.com/watch?v=dCN3PPglSx8
Photo #2: Algae blooms often look like spilled paint in the water. This photo taken at a Western Washington lake is a good example of what a toxic blue-green algae bloom looks like. Photo by Don Russell. www.ecy.wa.gov/news/2009news/images/greenalgae.jpg
Media contacts:
Sandy Howard, Department of Ecology, 360-407-6408; email:
srud461@ecy.wa.gov
Donn Moyer, Department of Health, 360-236-4076, email
dtm0303@doh.wa.gov
Additional algae bloom information:
Freshwater Algae Control Program:
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/plants/algae/index.html
Department of Health Toxic Cyanobacteria:
www.doh.wa.gov/ehp/algae/default.htm
South Sound Dissolved Oxygen Study:
www.ecy.wa.gov/puget_sound/dissolved_oxygen_study.html
Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program:
www.hoodcanal.washington.edu/observations/bloom_fishkill.jsp
King County lakes:
http://green.kingcounty.gov/lakes/Bloom.aspx
Ecology's Marine Monitoring Program
www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/eap/mar_wat/mwm_intr.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
