Inquiry #2

Intro

If you don't know what algal blooms are, it is a liquid that is very toxic and could poison and kill any creature. Algal blooms change colours from time to time. But it’s common colour form is green. Algal blooms can cause many damages to our environment. This report will look at the following questions - . Finally this report will explain our thesis which is the use of ro water to mitigate the negative effects of algae bloom.

What has been done in other parts of the world where the algal bloom is a pest ?

Other parts of the world Algal blooms have been affecting animals and humans bodies. Algal blooms have also been a pest in the U.S. Algal blooms are usually found in all of the states in the U.S. including Alaska and Hawaii. In the UK algal blooms are also a pest to them. The algae blooms in the UK are not very good because they won't stop spreading.

Why is algal bloom harmful?

As algal blooms grow, they evacuate the oxygen in the water and block the sunlight from reaching fish and plants. When the algae eventually die off, the virus which decomposes the dead algae uses up even more oxygen, which causes more fish to die or leave the area. When oxegen continues to evacuate by blooms it can lead to a really bad dead zone which means fish or plants are able to survive. This means we need to find a way to destroy algal blooms before it spreads out.

What has been done in the BOP to mitigate the negative effects that algal blooms have on the environment ?

Algal blooms can reduce the ability of fish and other aquatic life to find food and can cause entire populations to leave an area or even die. Harmful algal blooms cause thick, green muck that impacts clear water, recreation, businesses and property values. Negative effects of algal bloom, Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals. Create dead zones in the water. Raise treatment costs for drinking water. Hurt industries that depend on clean water.

Where is algal bloom normally found in New Zealand?

In New Zealand you could only find plankton blooms which are most commonly found in the lowland lakes and sometimes rivers and streams. The colour of the plankton bloom is blue-green, which means this is an unsafe algal. The plankton blooms are normally found in Waikato which is in BOP and Lake Taupo.

When was algal bloom introduced in BOP?

It’s been 10 years since the last large algal bloom was recorded for Lake Rotorua which is near BOP, which occurred in 2010 near Hamurana. A small bloom was recorded near the Ohau channel in 2015. The recent health warning for the toxic algal blooms in Lake Rotorua has reminded the community that there is still work to be done to improve the water quality.

What is being done in NZ currently to Mitigate Algal Bloom?

Algal blooms have affected New Zealand’s waterways, plants and our animals. Before when Algal blooms have been around New Zealand has been safe. New Zealand didn’t have any problems at the time. Algal blooms are one of our most dangerous pests. Bleach can get rid of algal blooms, bleach helps the plants if it does get poisoned by algal bloom. Algal bloom is not a water source and you should not drink it. You can tell if it’s bad or poisoned if the water's green or has dead fishes.

Conclusion

In conclusion our pest, algal blooms have been affecting our country negatively by killing our fish and plants. Algae has been a pest to our country for years. Algal blooms occur when algae multiply very quickly. Blooms can form in waters that are rich in the nutrients the algae need to grow, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and iron. Warmer waters may also help algae grow quickly to form blooms.

Bibliography

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“Algal Bloom the First in 10 Years for Lake Rotorua.” Bay of Plenty Regional Council | Toi Moana, https://www.boprc.govt.nz/your-council/news/news-and-media-releases/media-releases-2020/november-2020/algal-bloom-the-first-in-10-years-for-lake-rotorua Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

“Algal Blooms.” Home, https://www.water.wa.gov.au/water-topics/waterways/threats-to-our-waterways/algal-blooms Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Algal Bloom - Wikipedia.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 3 Apr. 2002, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom

“Harmful Algal Blooms - Better Health Channel.” Better Health Channel - Better Health Channel, https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/HealthyLiving/Harmful-algal-blooms Accessed 12 Apr. 2021.

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Industries, Ministry for Primary. “What Are Toxic Algal Blooms? | MPI | NZ Government.” Home | MPI | NZ Government, https://www.mpi.govt.nz/fishing-aquaculture/recreational-fishing/where-unsafe-to-collect-shellfish/what-are-toxic-algal-blooms/ Accessed 31 Mar. 2021.

Contributors to Wikimedia projects. “Reverse Osmosis - Wikipedia.” Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia, Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., 8 Apr. 2003, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reverse_osmosis