![]() The most commonly found toxin in North America is microcystin, which can cause skin, eye and throat irritations and more severe illness if consumed.īenthic mats are a natural and essential part of our freshwater ecosystem that grow on the bottom of rivers and lakes. While not all cyanobacteria blooms are harmful to human health, some can produce toxins. So even if a surface bloom is not floating on the surface of the water, it doesn't mean that one isn’t present. They can float up and down in the water and move to where there is more food (nutrients) and light. This can make them more difficult to see. Surface blooms can also be suspended at different depths in the water. On windy days cyanobacteria blooms may accumulate near the shore. Surface blooms usually occur when it begins to get hot outside, typically in the late spring and early summer.Ĭyanobacteria surface blooms can appear quickly or overnight. Fresh surface blooms can smell like newly mown grass while older blooms can have a foul smell, sometimes like garbage. Some surface blooms look like paint streaks on the water, while others may not affect the look of the water. Surface blooms can also look red, brown, or green. A surface bloom will look like surface scum, foam or mat and often be blue-green in colour. When there is lots of food (nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen) in the water, cyanobacteria can grow very quickly and clump together to form a surface bloom. Avoid swimming in areas with visible surface blooms or benthic mats. Individuals should always check the water and scan the shoreline before engaging in recreational water activities such as swimming, wading, canoeing and paddle boarding, etc. Since conditions may change in a matter of hours, it is important to be aware of local water conditions. They also help remind users to check the water for visible surface blooms, scum, and benthic mats, which pose the most risk. Advisories help recreational water users make informed decisions on water use in the affected area. Because of this, public health advisories may be issued. ![]() Some types of cyanobacteria can produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. They are not normally visible, but under certain conditions (warm, slow moving, shallow water and lots of sunlight) and when there is lots of food (nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen), they can grow quickly and clump together to form surface blooms or benthic mats. Blooms usually occur when temperatures get warmer, typically in the late spring and early summer sometimes appearing quickly or overnight. ![]() They are a natural part of our environment and water ecosystems, and can be found in many ponds, lakes, rivers, and wetlands in New Brunswick. When first discovered, cyanobacteria looked similar to algae and can sometimes appear blue-green in colour – which is why the term blue-green algae was used. ![]() Cyanobacteria is the proper name for blue-green algae, because these organisms are actually bacteria and not algae at all! Cyanobacteria were the earliest known forms of life on earth. ![]()
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