Download What are Blue-green algae? The Project

Irishtown
Nature Park
What are Blue-green algae?
Irishtown Nature Park, Moncton’s largest
park, features 250 acres of water and 2200
acres of picturesque Acadian forest. The park
is a popular location for walkers who use
three main trails to access a variety of
ecosystems. Additionally, the reservoir is
open to canoe and kayakers for summer and
fall months. The park is a valuable resource
for promoting health and environmental
education for community members and
tourists.
In recent years, persistent algal blooms have
occurred in late summer . These algal blooms
are composed of blue-green algae known as
cyanobacteria. As a precautionary measure,
the municipality closes Irishtown reservoir to
aquatic recreational activity during bloom
events and asks that dogs not swim or drink
the water.
Despite their name, blue-greens are actually
photosynthetic bacteria, not algae. They are
found in all water bodies and can
outcompete true algae for certain
nutrients . Unfortunately,
some bloom-forming
species can release chemicals
that can be health-hazards.
The goals of this year’s study are to
develop standard operating procedures
for
monitoring,
to
provide
recommendations on prevention and
mitigation of algal blooms and, to restore
the ecological integrity of the aquatic
ecosystem in the Irishtown Nature Park.
In 2011, a small bloom of blue-green
algae formed in the adjacent McLaughlin
reservoir.
The Project
1) Assess the concentration of nutrients within each watershed
Since 2010, water chemistry has been monitored at many sites in the Irishtown and
McLaughlin watersheds. Additionally, detailed maps are being created to identify all
permanent and ephemeral tributaries and contributing land-based run-off.
2) Monitor algae blooms
As algal blooms appear, samples are collected to identify species composition.
3) Develop strategies to mitigate seasonal influx of nutrients
Irishtown
McLaughlin
By identifying nutrient sources and community land-use,
we are better able to develop strategies and educate
the public on watershed management.
4) Mitigation and remediation
Enclosures have been set up to test a clay based product
(Phoslock®) that removes free reactive phosphate (FRP) in
the water column. Phoslock® has received NSF/ANSI
Standard 60 accreditation for use in drinking water supplies.
The Irishtown reservoir is the first test site in NB to try
this treatment.
in a recreational waterway.
Funding Partners
Water Quality and
Blue-green Algae
Monitoring
Nature Moncton
Moncton Fish and Game
Elmwood North Community
Association
Partners in Kind
August 2012
http://tinyurl.com/4enpc6