BLUE GREEN ALGAE

Blue-green algae is a natural feature of the Murray River. Blue-green algae isn't really algae at all but a form of cyanobacterium that looks like algae. The first blue-green algae bloom was recorded officially in 1853. Blue-green algae growth occurs as nutrients in the river increase and as river flows decrease or are diverted. The longest blue-green algae bloom ever found in the world was 1000 kilometres long which was find in the in the Darling River in 1991. Blue-green algae are dangerous to humans and stock because the poisonous compounds they contain are released when the algae break down. Some compounds are only dangerous if large amounts are absorbed. Other compounds damage the body even in small amounts, and the damage builds up. Then some blue-green algae do nothing at all, other than create a bad smell.

Copyright © 1998-2000 Matt Anderson and Russell Green.
All Rights Reserved. Images on this website may not be redistributes or put as part of ANY collection without prior written permission.

Back to Intro page