Algae on Lake Erie

The point of this article is to inform the reader that, all of a sudden, algae has been forming everywhere in Lake Erie. Scientist and researchers think that algae are suddenly showing up because it is fed by rich and plentiful phosphorus, which means water loving. The phosphorus comes into the lakes by neighboring towns. Algae really has not been a concern to the shores since the 1960’s and 70’s when it was really bad.
The algae are toxic to both swimmers and the fish in the water. One fish already has shone up dead. On September 3rd around West Sister Island eleven samples were taken of the algae, and nine of them showed that they were more toxic than the guidelines set by the World Health Organization. The algae will give people a bad rash, but it is not fatal. The algae are also “poisonous” to the environment as well. When the algae dies it takes up oxygen to decompose, and that creates oxygen free zones in the water.
The algae will never go away! Thousands of dollars are spent to exterminate the algae, but it does not do any good. Officials are working hard to get rid of it.
As one can see algae is a serious problem to bodies of water, it is hazardous, and it doest go away too quickly. It puts up on heck of a fight!

Opinion
I never really understood the dangers of algae until I read this article. I know now more than I ever did about the subject, and I know the dangers of algae. Me, a water loving person now knows more about algae, and why I should not go in it. It was highly educational.


By: T.L.


Source:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080921/ap_on_sc/booming_algae_bloom;_ylt=AmHSD0pQgz19XDUhyrG272sPLBIF