Current Issues

Algae Blooms

Microscopic examination of water samples reveal traces of many organisms and species of algae. It is believed that when conditions favor a particular species by virtue of stream velocity, sediment, salinity, specific nutrient cocktail composition, having regard to competition for space and nutrients, blooms will occur. Often yielding to one or more survivor species.

Attempting to control by addressing any specific ecological factor in the mix may change the identity of a survivor but is unlikely to restore waters to any prior ecological balance. Neither will application of any artificial (chemical) additive do it.

The piecemeal attempt to counter trends towards eutrophication may succeed in a causing a temporary change of pace towards eutrophication. Only progressive restoration towards an ecological balance is likely to improve an imbalance, when all causal factors contributing to that ecological imbalance are addressed. In a substantial, tidally influenced, moving water body, this would seem to call for successive quarantined areas which may be rid of invasive exotic vegetation and algae and their being replaced by specially reared native plant species together with biomass attuned to local water conditions. (Known as donor transplanting).