Cyanobacteria/Toxic Algae, This is what we are doing about it

What is the threat?
Cyanobacteria or Blue Green Algae pose a threat to human health. These single celled organisms thrive in nutrient rich lakes and reservoirs. Under bloom conditions they rise to the surface of the lake and can be several inches thick where wind blows them onto the shoreline. The toxins they can produce have killed pets and livestock. There are numerous cases of these blooms causing sickness in humans and recently deaths have been attributed to ingesting tainted water. Recent studies are linking Alzheimer’s, Lou Gehrig’s, and Parkinson’s disease to the toxins in Cyanobacteria. These blooms in recreational waters can cause closures for swimming and boating. These blooms in drinking water reservoirs can cause severe problems for agencies responsible for delivery. AquaTechnex has recognized this increasing threat and is taking steps to help combat the problem.

Detection and Monitoring
AquaTechnex has partnered with Blue Water Satellite to offer their unique detection and monitoring services throughout the areas we serve. Blue Water Satellite has patented technology to detect and map cyanobacteria in surface waters using satellite imagery and processing down to parts per billion levels. Each subject lake can be mapped from twice a month to once every 8 days. The system processes five samples per surface acre, providing a clear picture of levels present and the bloom's patterns. These maps and data are available to the client through a secure server rapidly so decisions can be made regarding health alerts or targeted control. This cost effective monitoring program provides a wealth of data not available from conventional water sampling programs and is a key component of a successful management plan. Blue Water can also perform phosphorus detection and mapping both in the lake and on the watershed to detect sources of this key input. Blue Water can provide up to 27 years of historical data from stored satellite images— www.bluewatersatellite.com.

Prevention
Algae are single celled organisms. They need to obtain the nutrients they need to cause bloom conditions from the water column. The limiting nutrient for algae is phosphorus. Limiting the amount of phosphorus in the water column limits the carrying capacity of the lake to produce bloom conditions.

Watershed monitoring using Blue Water Satellite technologies can pin point sources of phosphorus that then can be targeted for reductions. AquaTechnex biologists can help design programs to assist lake managers in this area.

Managing phosphorus in the lake is also an expertise our team can provide. Lake aeration systems can be very effective in limiting the amount of phosphorus available in the water column. Maintaining good dissolved oxygen levels throughout the water column helps lock up phosphorus so it's not available to fuel algae growth. Our biologists can design a system that meets the needs of your lake.

Phosphorus precipitation and removal is also an expertise our team can provide. Treating lakes with Aluminum Sulfate strips phosphorus from the water column and seals lake sediments. By removing this limiting nutrient from the water column, algae blooms can not occur. This process can provide years of effective algae management if inputs are limited. Our team operates GPS/GIS guided precisions application barges that cost effectively perform this service.

Control
Sometimes there is no option, but to treat these blooms to provide relief. AquaTechnex is licensed to apply a number of different US EPA registered algaecides in the states we operate in. The new class of peroxygen algaecides provide excellent control and break down to oxygen when their work is completed. There are other options for management as well. AquaTechnex has the capability to obtain and operate under permit programs that may be required to perform these treatments. Our team has a wide range of GPS/GIS guided precision application vessels that can treat any size lake or reservoir.