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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