Understanding and Controlling Algae Blooms

Although they belong to the plant kingdom, algae are technically not plants because they lack roots or true stems and leaves. They are a large and diverse group of eukaryotic (complex-celled) photosynthetic organisms that provide food and shelter for lots of different aquatic animals such as fish, crab, and shrimp. Though there are many benefits of algae including its use as a soil additive, health supplement, bioremediation agent, food source, and energy source, algae blooms can cause a variety of issues.

What Are Algae Blooms?

Algae blooms develop when excess nutrients from the fertilizer used on farms, lawns, and golf courses, as well as wastewater and stormwater runoff get into aquatic ecosystems. When the runoff mixes with Florida’s warm, nutrient-rich waters and abundant sunlight, algae can grow quickly and densely. The algae can change the color of the water and form unattractive clumps that attach to the ground, other plants, or float on the water’s surface. While the blooms are natural, too much algae can deplete oxygen levels, causing hypoxia (low oxygen) or anoxia (no oxygen). Organisms such as fish that rely on oxygen to survive can become stressed and die.

Controlling Algae Blooms

The most effective way to control algae blooms is to lessen the number of nutrients in the water. If nutrient reduction is not an option, other favorable alternatives include:

• Chemical treatments

  copper sulfate and chelated copper compounds are common chemical treatments used to control algae by blocking the light needed for growth.

• Biological treatments

  fish stocking is the primary biological treatment used today to control submersed and floating algae. Grass carp are one of the few species of fish that eat plants and can manage aquatic weeds and attached submersed algae such as Nitella and Chara.

• Physical treatments

  both aeration and airlifts will not kill or remove the algae, but instead, stir and oxygenate the water to change the unhealthy conditions.

• Mechanical treatments

  harvesters skim thick mats of blue-green algae from the surface of the water in a process known as “grubbing.”

It is important to take corrective action as soon as possible to ensure your pond or lake stays healthy and looks nice. With the right treatment, you can get most algae problems under control, especially when addressed early.

Rely on Our Aquatic Management Program

If you would like to remove excess algae from the water on your property, we can help. Upon completion of our aquatic survey, we can recommend a treatment plan regarding the removal and prevention of unhealthy and unsightly algae growth in your body of water. For information about the aquatic services we offer or to schedule an appointment, please contact us today by calling 407-878-4492.