![]() ![]() Warm weather patterns and large rain events that wash agricultural and residential fertilizers (which contain phosphorus) into the water can also jump-start a bloom. Little wind, warm water, sunlight, and plentiful nutrients - especially phosphorus - all increase the chance that a bloom will occur. A bloom is a sudden increase in algae cells in a certain area of water. When environmental conditions are right, the algal population can grow quickly and a bloom can occur. What are algal blooms and why do they occur? While scientists are learning more and more about blue-green algae, researchers are only beginning to understand the health risk that blue-green algae pose to humans and animals. While blue-green algae can convert sunlight into energy, they are not an important part of the food chain because most organisms prefer not to eat them.īlue-green algae are a natural part of lake ecosystems and algal blooms have occurred for many centuries. Blue-green algae are photosynthetic bacteria known as cyanobacteria, which can cause illness and death in humans and animals. ![]() ![]() True algae are a vital part of lake systems however, blue-green algae are not true algae. Algae are eaten by zooplankton, which are in turn eaten by small fish, then larger fish, and eventually the larger fish are eaten by birds, shore animals, and people. Algae act like other plants and convert sunlight into energy, forming the base of a lake's food chain. Many species of algae are found in Wisconsin lakes and rivers. ![]()
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