Learn to Identify Cyanobacteria Blooms

Table of Contents:
Introduction to video and cyanobacteria 0:00:13
Dogs and cyanobacteria 0:03:15
HCBs in artificial water features 0:04:42
Using the jar and stick tests to identify cyanobacteria 0:05:02
Using pigment color to identify cyanobacteria 0:07:25
Examples of planktonic HCBs and field characteristics 0:08:53
Things that are not cyanobacteria 0:18:47
Examples of benthic cyanobacteria and field characteristics 0:25:35
Review of key characteristics and tips 0:29:53
Conclusion 0:31:52
Additional Resources and Credits 0:32:45
Produced by ITRC's Harmful Cyanobacterial Blooms (HCB) Team with support from the Lake Champlain Basin Program, this video walks through different types of cyanobacteria and offers guidance on best management and safety practices involving harmful blooms.
Music Credits:
Lesfm - Morning Light (Pixelbay.com)
Lesfm - Ambient Uplifting BG Music for Videos (Pixelbay.com)
Lesfm - Inspiring Acoustic Guitar (Pixelbay.com)
Orangiromusik - Instrument 14092021 (Pixelbay.com)
Bensound - Acoustic Breeze (Bensound.com)

[@wildpupadventures]

This is such an excellent video… My issue is that there are so many types of algae and so many appearances of water that are similar, it’s so hard to know. My dogs swim in all kinds of water in summer and I do my best to identify toxic forms but I find myself constantly stressing out and scared.

[@estherwynne162]

This was excellent! Thank you for this introduction. Now that I realize how many variations on presentation there are I will probably take the hour long tutorials also!

[@vedavyaschavan1113]

Work on cyanobacteria is very wonderful and those who see this video obviously get knowledge about environmental science and microbiology, although my request to you make a video on cyanobacteria collection and characterization (collection, culture, isolation, and identification) in broad, such as paddy field ecosystem. Because people might get knowledge about agriculture and environmental impacts (Global warming problems).

[@jocelynemercille1131]

At 5:50 the jar test we are looking at cyanobacteria could it be also oxygen release by the cyanobacteria. In Lake Champlain I can see when the sun is there those kind of translucide balls ( unlimited) and I wonder what it is. Thanks for all the information.

[@reidtillery2856]

Question. When in the wilderness, and filtering water to drink with a high quality filter that filters out protozoans and bacteria, is it safe to pull water for filtering from a water source contaminated with blue green algae? More specifically, is it safe to drink such water that has been properly filtered?

[@itrc-environment]

Hey Reid,
To our knowledge, there are currently no portable drinking water treatment systems that have been tested and certified as being effective at removing cyanotoxins from natural water bodies. Campers, hikers, and backpackers in areas where water bodies have known or suspected benthic HCBs should not rely on portable treatment systems to remove toxins from impacted surface waters. Learn to recognize and avoid pulling drinking water from sources with benthic HCBs and floating or disturbed mats. Preventative measures such as supplying your own drinking water or, if bringing sufficient drinking water is not possible, targeting spring water sources for drinking water.
For more information, you can read ITRC's entire HCB guidance at hcb-1.itrcweb.org/

[@LazYevgen]

Thanks for the video but whole this topic sounds like horoscope. Hardly helps to understand what to avoid how to determine toxic ones.