Canberra Times - More Blue-Green Algae Outbreaks Likely As Warming Continues

[hatrack]

Global warming will increase the intensity and length of blue-green algae outbreaks in the region as hot days and lower rainfall allow the organisms to multiply. Canberra's main waterways, including Lake Burley Griffin, Lake Tuggeranong, Lake Ginninderra and Kambah Pool, have been closed due to high levels of blue-green algae.

Water quality expert Professor Ian Falconer said climate change would increase the number of harmful blue-green algae outbreaks. ''It's seasonal. These organisms are in the water all the time and they die back in the winter and multiply during the summer. ''They are related to water temperature so if you get a circumstance where you have a lot of water warming up and very little flow because of lack of rain they proliferate and they get to the point where they become a health hazard,'' he said.

Professor Falconer said improving water quality would lead to fewer algal blooms. ''The issue is that a lot of nutrients wash into the waterways particularly in urban areas, so you really have to cut down the nutrient load and it's a problem to do it.''

He said Canberrans needed to stop using phosphate-containing material, for example. ''A lot of the phosphorus for example that gets into the drains comes from phosphate containing detergents from washing powders and things like this.''

EDIT

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/news/national/national/general/global-warming-may-lead-to-more-bluegreen-algae-outbreaks/1434330.aspx

[Taverner]

1. Although - could they take these and get power from them?