Blooming Algae
Is Blue Green Algae blooming new problems?
Blue-Green Algae is called this because of its blue green colour, this form of bacteria was
discovered 2.8 billion years ago, it is one of the oldest known fossils. It’s also the largest and
most important group of bacteria. BGA usually lives in environments where no other
lifeforms can exist. You can find BGA in any still standing lakes, ponds, roadside ditches,
sewage lagoons and rivers that are nutrient-rich. In the late summer and early autumn when
the water temperatures are 22°- 26° blue-green algae is most likely to bloom. BGA is a very
serious issue and it had been known to poison and kill dogs and cattle, and occasionally
people.
Interview with Matt Lowe from Natural Resources Wales
We asked Matt Lowe the following questions;

What is your view on BGA?
In Llys-Y-Fran Reservoir, Haverfordwest it first appeared in 1987, then in 2009 and again
in 2011. It needs lots of sunlight and food sources. It’s there all of the time, but when
there is a lot of sunlight and food for it to feed on, it grows and becomes a problem.

Is it a recent problem or has it always been around?
No, it’s always been in Llys-Y-Fran. It was especially a problem in the late 90s and then again
in 2011.

How does it affect surrounding wildlife?
It will affect the surrounding wildlife in the reservoir by blocking the sunlight and
releasing possibly deadly toxins into the water. Livestock and dogs will then be affected
by that. Fish and any other animals living in the water will be affected too. BGA also uses
up the oxygen in the water so that anything living in the water could potentially be
suffocated.
“Blue-green algae has been identified at Llysyfran Reservoir, Haverfordwest and Dwr Cymru
Welsh Water has been forced to restrict some water based activities as a result.
Following observations by Welsh Water and after further tests by Environment Agency
Wales, the decision has been taken that activities where immersion in the water is likely
should be restricted as a temporary measure.
The build-up of blue-green algae at Llys y Fran Reservoir is a natural occurrence which
occurs from time to time during warm conditions and is beyond our control.
Environment Agency Wales will continue to monitor the situation and review the sample
results obtained.
However, if the level of blue-green algae in the reservoir increases there is a possibility that
it may have to be closed until the algae subsides.
The algae produce toxins which can cause skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, stomach pains,
fever and headache if swallowed.” Source- Dwr Cymru Welsh Water 2011
This is BGA at Llys-Y-Fran. Source: Matt Lowe
The Scientific Information
The scientific name for Blue Green Algae is Cyanobacteria, these are a not actually a type of
‘algae’ as the name may suggest but a type of bacteria, they are microscopic organisms that
live in fresh and salt water. Blue green Algae use the suns energy to create their food
through photosynthesis. They are often blue-green in colour, which is how they got their
name, but they can range in colour from olive-green to brown to red. The Red Sea gets its
name from occasional blooms of a reddish species of Oscillatoria, and African flamingos get
their pink colour from eating Spirulina. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) have shown an interest in these organisms. Cyanobacteria have been taken into
space to see if they survive. They can!
BGA naturally occurs in inland waters, estuaries and the sea. It can form when there are too
many nutrients in the water. BGA in freshwater is suspended within the water or attached
to rocks and banks and other surfaces. BGA is a collective term for the many cyanobacteria
within the algae itself. BGA includes single-celled species and others whose cells are
arranged in filaments and colonies. It’s difficult to see the individual cells, filaments or
colonies, but usually you can when they’re concentrated into clumps.
The Global Picture
Blue Green Algae is found everywhere around the world, because they are able to survive in
any environment, no matter how extreme, for example hot springs to Antarctic lakes,
cyanobacteria can be found in almost every terrestrial and aquatic habitat on Earth. Blooms
of blue-green algae seem to be commonplace in North Carolina. Over the past 30 years
cyanobacteria has increasingly affected water supplies through contamination by the toxins
it produces. Drinking water contaminated with the toxins has been found in countries
around the world including Australia, Brazil, China, England, South Africa and the USA.
In conclusion we think that Blue Green Algae is blooming new problems as it is
contaminating water sources in many countries. It is also killing and poisoning dogs, cattle
and people.
By Caitlin Sparey and Hannah Winterton, Age 14, Castle School, Pembrokeshire, Wales.