Halifax blue green algae

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Blue-green algae occurs in all parts of Nova Scotia and once it appears in a body of water, it will bloom again when the conditions are right. Nova Scotia is likely to see more blooms with increasing climate change and incidences of extreme heat and precipitation. Nova Scotia's Department of Environment and Climate Change posts a list of potential blue-green algae blooms online and shares reports on social media. The province's website on blue-green algae says it can appear turquoise, green, brown, red, white or a mix of these colours. It says blooms can "look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint or pea soup," and can sometimes appear as a thick scum on the surface. Once dried, the province says blue-green algae can appear brown or grey.

Halifax blue green algae

A veterinary hospital in Halifax says a dog's recent death was connected to exposure to blue-green algae at Long Lake in Hammonds Plains. Halifax Veterinary Hospital said in a statement Wednesday that a dog suddenly died after spending about five minutes in the water at the lake on June The vet hospital said the dog quickly lost the ability to stand, was non-responsive and showed "seizure-like" activity. Halifax Veterinary Hospital said exposure to the algae, which produces toxins, can cause illness in humans and can be fatal to pets. The hospital stressed that if owners have doubts that a body of water has an algae bloom, it's best to keep pets on land and away from shorelines. Blue-green algae was also detected in nine other lakes across the province in July, according to the provincial Department of Environment and Climate Change. The department's website said the algae can appear turquoise, green, brown, red, white, or a mix of those colours. It also said blooms can "look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint or pea soup," and can sometimes appear as a thick scum on the surface. Nova Scotia Vet hospital says dog died from blue-green algae exposure after 5 minutes in Halifax-area lake Halifax Veterinary Hospital announced in a statement released Wednesday that on June 16, a dog suddenly died after spending about five minutes in the water at Long Lake. Social Sharing. The dog died on the way to the emergency hospital around two hours after leaving the water.

You might or might not be able to see blue-green algae blooms.

We have a comprehensive blue-green algae cyanobacteria monitoring program in place so we know the drinking water we provide to customers is safe. Blue-green algae are microscopic organisms found naturally in all types of water. These single-celled organisms live in fresh, brackish, and marine water. These organisms use sunlight to make their own food. Blue-green algae cyanobacteria blooms form when blue-green algae, which are normally found in water, start to multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients.

Want to discuss? Please read our Commenting Policy first. If you get Global News from Instagram or Facebook - that will be changing. Find out how you can still connect with us. A lake can seem beautiful and harmless from a distance, but on the surface of the water could lie dangerous blue-green algae.

Halifax blue green algae

The municipality wants to help Haligonians identify the potentially harmful bacteria and learn about the risks for their pets and children. Elizabeth Montgomery, water resources specialist with HRM, gave reporters a primer on blue green algae. They like warm water, meaning climate change is likely to lead to more cyanobacteria.

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According to the province, blue-green algae can be turquoise, green, brown, red, white or some mixture of those colours. Even after a risk advisory has been lifted it is recommended that you visually check the water before entering, as blooms can appear quickly. Updates can also be found at www. Pets are attracted by the smell of algae mats and ingesting the mats has caused pet deaths in Nova Scotia. A benthic blue-green algae mat with bubbles visible within the sheet of growth attached to a rock. A blue green algae bloom in Lake Banook in At municipally supervised beaches, visual bloom monitoring will continue until blooms have disappeared and remain absent for seven consecutive days. I think what needs to be emphasized is that these nutrient inputs are NOT a default that comes along with development. Want to discuss? For pets, exposure to blue-green algae can be fatal. Caution should be taken when considering the consumption of fish caught in areas where blue-green algal blooms occur. A low-density planktonic blue-green algae bloom near the shoreline of a lake. We encourage everyone to follow beach rules and restrictions to be safe when visiting the beaches. The blooms can be blue, bright green, brown, or red.

A water resources specialist on HRM's environment and climate change team says the cyanobacteria are naturally occurring in Nova Scotia's lakes and rivers, but officials have seen an increase in the number of blooms in recent years. People are being encouraged to avoid swimming in and taking their pets near the lake until further notice.

Harmful Algal Blooms may look like pea soup. Increase article font size. Join the Conversation 2 Comments. It says blooms can "look like fine grass clippings in the water, spilled paint or pea soup," and can sometimes appear as a thick scum on the surface. Those are big questions, right? Blue-green algae are naturally present in small numbers. By Alex Cooke Global News. Keep children and pets away from the water. During recreational activities such as swimming, contaminated water could accidentally be swallowed. Blue-green algae toxins can reach high levels in blooms, which can be harmful to the health of humans and animals. Sometimes they also look like a thick scum on the surface. New York State.