Seneca sees first harmful algal bloom this year

Aug 31, 2021 at 09:04 pm by Observer-Review


Seneca sees first harmful algal bloom this year ADVERTISEMENT

Seneca sees first harmful algal bloom this year

SENECA LAKE--The Seneca Lake Pure Waters Association announced the first Cyanobacterial bloom of this season was confirmed on Aug. 25 in Seneca Lake. It was a very sparse bloom just north of Sampson State Park on the Northeast side of the lake. A more substantial bloom was detected in the Sampson Marina on Aug. 26.
Blooms are transient and can last for minutes or hours. Everyone should be on the lookout and "look before you leap" into the water. Your eyes are the best bloom detectors.
Do not put your hands in a bloom. Blooms are very 2-dimensional and don't stick together like seaweed or filamentous algae does. It is mainly green but can take on some other colors. It can be streaky, blotches, dots, or scum in appearance. Exposure to any cyanobacteria HABs can cause health effects in people and animals when water with blooms is touched, swallowed, or when airborne droplets are inhaled. This is true regardless of toxin levels; some blue-green algae produce toxins, while others do not. Exposure to blooms and toxins can cause symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.
Never drink untreated surface water. Even if you treat it in your home with water filtration, chlorine, ultraviolet (UV) light, or other treatment; it's still not protected from blue-green algae and toxins.
To see where HABs are occurring in New York state, visit the DEC Website at https://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/77118.html.

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