5/9/2023 0 Comments Chara algea cololWhen the gill-breathing organisms encounter toxins, the gills become dysfunctional and find it difficult to absorb oxygen from the water surface. The production of the toxin is detrimental for the aquatic life as it damages the respiratory system in gill-breathing organisms, such as amphibians, fish, and crayfish. Golden algae are one-celled organisms that can produce a toxin, just like the blue-green algae. Golden algaeĪnother pond algae species are the Golden algae found mostly in freshwater lakes and ponds. Some of the common filamentous algae include Lyngby, Spirogyra, Anabaena, Spirulina, and Pithophora. Poorly managed filamentous growth can be harmful to the survival of aquatic life. Also, high-nutrient load or stagnation promotes filamentous algae production. High levels of phosphorus and calcium stimulate the growth of filamentous algae in the pond. The dense patches often appear as bright green scum, but may also exhibit shades of browns or yellows in case of dying algae. The patches of filamentous algae are joined in a series of cells and have long, slimy, and cottony texture. The filaments reach the surface of the waterbody and appear as greenish mats. Filamentous algae start growing from the ponds’ edge and slowly rise. There are various names for Filamentous pond algae, like moss or pond scum. Species of Cyanobacteria –the blue-green algae –are not only toxic to the fish but also humans and wildlife.Ĭhlorella, Microcystis, Tabellaria, and Chlamydomonas are some of the planktonic algae. Blue-green algae thrive on nitrogen and carbon dioxide. The high concentration of planktonic algae causes oxygen to deplete, thereby killing the aquatic habitat. The algal blooms cover the entire waterbody, forming dense masses on the surface. Original content source Blooming planktonic algae may appear as a dye in the pond water and cannot be removed easily. Planktonic algae are the primary producers in the food chain, which is the main food source in the ponds. Within the blue-green algae, there exist many varieties with different colors, including brown algae and yellow algae. These microscopic pond plants have a variety of colors, from light blue to bright green, golden and red. Some organisms are unicellular, and some are composed of colonies of single cells. Planktonic algae are, perhaps, the most widespread and commonly found pond algae. Some of the common pond algae are as follows. Algae do not have stems or roots and reproduce by means of fragmentation, spores, or cell division.Īlgae or cyanobacteria live on excess nutrients found in the water and exist in many shapes and colors. However, pond keepers become aware of the existence of algae bloom when it appears in all its glory, affecting the ecological balance. Some algae are grouped together in colonies, and there are as many as 30,000 species of algae living in water bodies. Phytoplankton, commonly known as algae can be unicellular or multi-cellular. Types of AlgaeĪlgae are living organisms found in all water bodies, including lakes and ponds. The HABs (Harmful Algal blooms) deplete oxygen in the water and are life-threatening for the gill-breathing organisms. Not only this aquatic vegetation is unsightly, but it also affects the quality of the aquatic ecosystem. Also, shallow water is warmer, so they encourage the growth of pond algae. Since the shallow ponds have direct exposure of sunlight, they serve as a breeding ground for different algae. As a result, the oxygen level depletes in the pond or lake. During the respiration process, algae use sugar and oxygen, thereby releasing carbon dioxide. When Can Algae Be an Issue?Īlgae are oxygen producers however, in the absence of sunlight, algae respire at a high rate. Not sure what type of Algae you’re dealing with? Check out the most common types of pond algae we run into when managing our clienteles water features. These organisms combine carbon dioxide and water to form sugar for growth and energy. Similar to plants, algae also grow under the sunlight. July and August are the months when pond algae are on full-bloom. Summer is the peak season for the growth of Algae. Algae help maintain ecological balance in the water bodies. These organisms exist largely in ponds but are found in other water bodies as well. What is Pond Algae, and Is It Bad For My Pond?Īlgae is a term used for a diverse group of organisms similar to plants.
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