Toxic Algae - Bacteria Capable of a Mass Extinction Event
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In this new aquatic explainer style video style I am making for Swimming Pool Steve I talk about toxic algae (blue-green algae) and how it is not actually algae at all but a cyanobacteria. This cyanobacteria is pretty nasty stuff and is responsible for city water crisis, animal deaths (especially dogs) as well as potentially an actual extinction level event in earth's history. As cyanobacteria developed the ability to generate energy from sunlight (photosynthesize) they began to create oxygen as a byproduct of this process. During this time in the development of earth almost all life on the planet required an anerobic environemnt...meaning no oxygen. Cyanobacteria were so prolific in their ability to photosynthesize that they flooded the earch with oxygen, effectively killing all life forms on the planet at the time.
Being that human beings breathe oxygen we are direct decedents of the "winner" of this planetary war. However, cyanobacteria exists all around us and can sometimes bloom into problematic levels. This is especially true for inland lakes which receive a high concentration of phosphates and nitrates as run-off from agricultural land. These phosphates and nitrates are just what algae needs to grow...even though toxic algae is technically a cyanobacteria and not an algae at all, the super-foods available in these waters leads to prolific algae development, including toxic algae.
In pools we refer to toxic algae or blue-green algae as black algae. If you suspect black algae in your pool perhaps you would benefit with a short paid consultation with Steve to discuss this: Ask Steve consulting.
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Swimming Pool Steve is an award winning, second generation swimming pool specialist from Ontario Canada and one of the most trusted voices in the swimming pool industry. With over 20,000,000 views on the Swimming Pool Steve YouTube Channel, winner of the Pleatco Pool & Spa Industry Leadership award and author of hundreds of pool and spa articles both online and in print. Steve is committed to helping pool and spa owners as well as pool and spa industry workers learn more about the technical side of building, renovating, repairing and maintaining all types of swimming pools and spas. Follow Swimming Pool Steve on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.
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