The Rising Threat of Toxic Algae in 8 Colorado’s Lakes Due to Climate Change

Colorado is a state that boasts of its natural beauty and outdoor recreation, but it also faces some environmental challenges, such as toxic algae blooms.

Toxic algae blooms are outbreaks of microscopic organisms that can produce harmful substances or discolor the water. They can affect the health and safety of people, animals, and ecosystems.

What causes toxic algae blooms?

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Toxic algae blooms are caused by a variety of factors, such as nutrient pollution, warm water, sunlight, and wind, as per Phys.org.

Nutrient pollution is the excess of nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, which can come from sources, such as agricultural runoff, urban stormwater, wastewater treatment plants, or septic systems.

Nutrients act as fertilizers for algae, allowing them to grow rapidly and outcompete other organisms.

Warm water can also favor the growth of certain algae species, especially those that can produce toxins. It can also reduce the oxygen levels in the water, which can stress or kill fish and other animals. Sunlight provides energy for algae to photosynthesize and multiply.

Moreover, wind can influence the movement and mixing of water layers, which can affect the distribution and concentration of algae.

Toxic algae blooms can occur in freshwater or saltwater environments, but they are more common and problematic in freshwater lakes and reservoirs.

In Colorado, there are two main types of toxic algae that cause concern: cyanobacteria (also known as blue-green algae) and golden algae (also known as prymnesium).

Cyanobacteria can produce toxins that can affect the liver, nervous system, or skin of humans and animals. They can also cause unpleasant odors or tastes in the water.

Golden algae can produce toxins that can kill fish and other aquatic organisms by damaging their gills.

Why are toxic algae blooms becoming worse in Colorado?

Toxic algae blooms are becoming worse in Colorado due to climate change and human activities. Climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods, heat waves, and wildfires, as per 9 News.

These events can affect the water quality and quantity in lakes and reservoirs, by altering the temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, turbidity, or nutrient levels.

Climate change can also change the timing and patterns of precipitation, runoff, wind, and currents, which can affect the transport and fate of algae in the water.

Human activities are also contributing to the worsening of toxic algae blooms in Colorado by increasing the sources and loads of nutrient pollution in lakes and reservoirs.

It is also human activities such as agriculture, urbanization, industry, or recreation that can generate large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus that enter the water through runoff or discharge.

Furthermore, these human activities can also affect the land use and cover around lakes and reservoirs, by removing vegetation or altering soil properties. This can increase the erosion and sedimentation of nutrients into the water.

Also Read: The Ocean Can't Breathe: Mexico-Sized Algae Bloom in the Arabian Sea Should Concern You

What can be done to prevent or mitigate toxic algae blooms?

To prevent or mitigate toxic algae blooms in Colorado, there are several actions that can be taken at different levels and scales. Some of these actions include:

Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring and reporting are essential for detecting and assessing the occurrence and severity of toxic algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs.

Monitoring involves collecting water samples or using remote sensing techniques to measure physical, chemical, biological, or ecological parameters related to algae growth.

Reporting involves communicating the results of monitoring to relevant authorities or stakeholders for decision-making or public awareness.

In Colorado, there are several agencies or organizations that conduct monitoring or reporting of toxic algae blooms, such as the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW), U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), or local governments.

Reducing nutrient pollution

Reducing nutrient pollution is one of the most effective ways to prevent or control toxic algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs.

It involves implementing best management practices (BMPs) or regulations that aim to reduce the sources or loads of nitrogen and phosphorus entering the water from different sectors or activities.

Some examples of BMPs or regulations include using fertilizer efficiently, managing animal waste properly, treating wastewater effectively, restoring riparian buffers, or implementing stormwater management.

Managing water resources

Managing water resources is another way to prevent or mitigate toxic algae blooms in lakes and reservoirs.

It involves optimizing the use or allocation of water for different purposes or users, such as agriculture, industry, recreation, or ecology.

It also involves maintaining or enhancing the quality or quantity of water in lakes and reservoirs by manipulating physical factors such as temperature, salinity, oxygen, pH, turbidity.