ENVIRONMENT
What you can do if you spot blue-green algae, ways to use water wisely and why sharks aren’t the villains of the sea. Environment Editor Jo Tinsley reports on the things that matter to us as swimmers
COULD YOU RECOGNISE BLUE-GREEN ALGAE?
As summer approaches, warm weather, more sunlight and nutrient-rich waters create ideal conditions for blue-green algae to thrive and grow rapidly – troublesome for swimmers and pets who want to take a dip. But would you know what to look out for?
Algae are naturally forming, found in all water bodies and are an essential part of aquatic life. The same goes for blue-green algae. “The algae’s ability to control its own buoyancy means that during bright sunny weather, the algae migrate to the surface layer of lakes and still waters,” says Alison Holmes, one of the Environment Agency’s Environment Monitoring Specialists based in Cumbria. “During long periods of settled, sunny and warm weather with little or no wind, blue-green algae can multiply to such an extent that blooms can form. In the right conditions, gentle breezes can move it into bays where it’s more visible.” But when does blue-green algae become dangerous? “Bloom and scum forming blue-green algae can produce toxins,” says Alison. “These toxins can be harmful to people and animals. Not all blue-green algae blooms are toxic, but you can’t tell by looking at them, so it’s best to assume they are.”