Blue Green Algae - More toxic than cyanide!
Bluegreen algae toxins attack the liver and can cause hepatitis, cirrhosis and cancer, as well as gastroenteritis and dermatitis

New found fame has escalated toxic blue-green algae from a naturally occurring phenomenon, to one of the nation's most critical water quality issues.

The presence of blue-green algae in Australian rivers, lakes, dams and estuaries is widespread. Every mainland State has recorded outbreaks and the threat they pose has been well publicised by the media.

Blue-green algae, known within the scientific community as Cyanobacteria, grow naturally in most bodies of water. Microscopic plants. algae thrive on a combination of nutrients, light, warmth and calm conditions.

Blue-green algae can be found at various depths within a body of water. However, when conditions are favourable a bloom is triggered and the algae will appear in abundance at the surface.

Algal blooms often take on the appearance of bright green sawdust before forming a mat or scum on water surfaces. Their smell ranges from musty and earthy odours to a putrid stench, which is most noticeable when decomposition begins. A concern to health and the environment

Them are many species of blue-green algae but only a few are toxin producing. In the non-toxic form, the algae make drinking water unattractive and smelly. The toxic variety are a major health and ecological concern.

There are three main genera of toxin producing algae in Australia.

Anabaena produces an alkaloid nerve toxin, which can cause muscular and respiratory disorders;

Microcystis and Nodularia produce peptide toxins which can kill liver cells.

No human deaths have been recorded following consumption of water infected by toxic algae. However, several ailments are associated with human consumption or skin contact. These include gastroenteritis, liver damage and dermatitis.

There is also concern that the toxins promote liver cancer.

Extract from special article has been contributed by the Institute of Natural Resources and Environment Division of Water Resources, Griffith Laboratory, CSIRO.)

`The best treatment method that is widely available for the removal of toxins associated with blue green algae, is to use carbon employed as a tertiary treatment or in direct filtration mode." Gary Jones, CSIRO