Nebraska reservoir has algal poisoning

[donsu]

http://hisz.rsoe.hu/alertmap/woalert_read.php?cid=13294&cat=dis&lang=eng


State officials have reissued a health alert for toxic algae at Conestoga Reservoir in Lancaster County. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services says samples from the reservoir taken this week have tested above allowable levels for toxins released by some blue-green algae. Pawnee Reservoir in Lancaster County could have a health alert removed next week if it passes the same test. Health officials say people shouldn't swim in and shouldn't swallow water from bodies under the alerts. Drinking toxin-tainted water can cause vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle pain, paralysis, respiratory failure and, rarely, even death.)

[kestrel91316]

1. Toxic blue-green algae in lakes/ponds is not just some

mysterious random occurence. It is associated with high levels of contamination, usually with fertilizer or waste runoff from agricultural sources.

Factory farming strikes again.

"......Heavy infestations (blooms) of blue-greens are
stimulated by inputs of phosphorus and nitrogen. Runoff
of fertilizers, organic wastes, and other sources of N and P
into surface waters should always be reduced or
eliminated........"
http://www.btny.purdue.edu/Pubs/APM/blue-green_factsheet.pdf

Another good factsheet on cyanobacteria (aka blue-green "algae"):
http://www.waterquality.crc.org.au/dwfacts/dwfact_algae.pdf

[Vanje]

2. Keep your dogs out of algae laden waters .

kills em. fast.