Algae Testing
What are Algae?
Free floating microscopic algae, are simple plants that grow with light and nutrients. They are natural to waterways and are part of the aquatic food chain. Various types of algae are found in Australian waters including blue-green algae, diatoms, green algae and flagellates. Blue-green algae are actually bacteria and in favourable conditions such as high temperatures and nutrients, can grow excessively (blooms) and may produce toxins which in extreme cases can be lethal. Often farm dams with algal blooms are known to cause stock losses.
Taste and Odour
Other problems that can occur from blooms are compounds produced by certain types of algae and blue-green algae that cause bad tastes and odours. A method to pre-empt toxin, taste and odour problems is by regularly examining the water through a microscope to identify any potential problem organisms and implement management strategies before they become a problem.
Trichodesmium Blooms
Some algae are known to produce blooms in a marine environment. Most years here on the Tweed we get the blue-green algae Trichodesmium, which are often found washed up on beaches and canals and seen as a vivid green to purple deposit on sand and rocks.
Trichodesmium link:
For more information on algae:
Tweed Laboratory Centre
Our laboratory has highly trained staff able to provide a service to identify both toxic blue-green and other nuisance algae for private landholders, council and other government agencies.
picture of Anabaena x 400 Picture of Anabaena Bloom
Anabaena x 400 Anabaena Bloom
Tweed Laboratory, in-line with our commitment to develop client services, is looking to invest in a new technology to identify and quantify the toxins released by these forms of Algae. It will hopefully reduce the timeframe and costs to clients when faced with a Blue green Algal bloom that exceeds the regulatory requirements.