What Makes Blue-Green Algae Dangerous?-Speaking of Chemistry

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 มิ.ย. 2016
  • Pond scum is usually just a nuisance, but it can become dangerous. Check out the chemistry behind these harmful algal blooms. And don’t forget to subscribe! bit.ly/ACSReactions
    ↓↓ Full description and references below ↓↓
    When the environmental conditions are right, blue-green algae (which are actually blue-green bacteria) can blossom into harmful algal blooms. These blooms can release all sorts of deadly poisons into the environment. In this episode, SOC’s Sophia Cai explains how human health could be at risk, with help from SOC’s structure-drawing extraordinaire, Lauren Wolf.
    Check out the story behind this video: cen.acs.org/articles/94/i12/Sc...
    Want more Speaking of Chemistry? Like us on Facebook!
    / speakingofchem
    And feel free to contact us at speakingofchem@acs.org!
    Want more chemistry goodness? Check out these resources:
    CyanoMap
    www.cyanomap.com/about
    Scientists debate the best way to tame toxic algal blooms | C&EN
    cen.acs.org/articles/94/i12/Sc...
    Monitoring uncovers mysterious phosphorus pollution | C&EN
    cen.acs.org/articles/94/web/20...
    Blue-Green Algae: Iridescent but Deadly | The Atlantic www.theatlantic.com/health/arc...
    Cyanobacteria and Algae Blooms | CDC
    www.cdc.gov/nceh/hsb/hab/
    Harmful Algal Blooms | EPA
    www.epa.gov/nutrientpollution...
    A review on cylindrospermopsin | Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts
    pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articl...
    The Algae Is Coming, But Its Impact Is Felt Far From Water | NPR
    www.npr.org/2013/08/11/2111305...
    Drinking Water Health Advisory for the Cyanobacterial Microcystin Toxins | EPA
    www.epa.gov/sites/production/...
    Unauthorized Storage of Toxic Agents | Assassination Archives & Research Center
    www.aarclibrary.org/publib/chu...
    Speaking of Chemistry is brought to you by Chemical & Engineering News, the news magazine of the American Chemical Society..
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ความคิดเห็น • 141

  • @skydivertyler
    @skydivertyler 8 ปีที่แล้ว +34

    I love learning about random chemicals, their effects, and their active groups.

    • @julesverne6287
      @julesverne6287 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      have a look at Nile red or chemplayer on TH-cam :)

    • @skydivertyler
      @skydivertyler 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +Lorcan O'Brien I know Nile Red but ill check out chemplayer ;)

    • @Quintinohthree
      @Quintinohthree 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +SkydiverTyler Amazing channels both if you like amateur chemistry. Doug's Lab and Nurdrage are similar but post less frequently.

    • @julesverne6287
      @julesverne6287 8 ปีที่แล้ว

      +SkydiverTyler Cody's lab too, and periodic table of videos of course

  • @mthompson5922
    @mthompson5922 8 ปีที่แล้ว +31

    The picture of the frog shows it in duckweed, I believe, not algae. Duckweed is a flowering aquatic plant often confused with algae.

    • @maebird-sings
      @maebird-sings 7 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I second that :)

    • @coleq.7300
      @coleq.7300 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      And I third that

    • @gamer-gd8mu
      @gamer-gd8mu 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      I fourth that.

    • @FoxyFemBoi
      @FoxyFemBoi 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      Many types of duckweed are edible :D

  • @Solitudelakemanagement
    @Solitudelakemanagement 5 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Wow, great explanation Sophia! HABs can sneak up on those who don't know what to watch out for...cyanotoxin and saxatoxin... gnarly stuff!

  • @jackdolah2031
    @jackdolah2031 7 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Best science and most underrated channel on TH-cam! Keep it up guys !

  • @dm_nimbus
    @dm_nimbus 8 ปีที่แล้ว +7

    Legendary structure drawing ability 🖖🏼

  • @theultimatereductionist7592
    @theultimatereductionist7592 6 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    I love chemical names and chemical structure diagrams.

  • @WlyAbdulrahman
    @WlyAbdulrahman 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I think this is the algae that is in Lake Maninjau right now, I'm worried if the ecosystem in Lake Maninjau is getting worse

  • @tamkakit1233
    @tamkakit1233 6 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    Her drawing skill is great!

  • @portcullis5622
    @portcullis5622 4 ปีที่แล้ว +4

    The photo with the frog is a tiny flowering plant called duckweed (Lemna). This could confuse people as it is harmless to humans but can be annoying on garden ponds. It is really difficult to get a positive identification of blue- green algae. I was fishing at a small lake in Yorkshire (England) recently, and the surface was covered in algae (as it often is) due to eutrophication caused by agricultural runoff. As it was a pale green algae, I presumed that it was not the toxic blue-green algae. I had to handle it, as it kept clogging my lines as the wind kept moving it around the lake. It usually starts off as tiny dark green strands in early summer. As I have felt a bit unwell over the last two weeks (upset stomach), I am beginning to wonder whether the algae is a toxic species. Is there a way of being certain of the species and whether it is safe (other than sending a sample to a laboratory)?

    • @tati5311
      @tati5311 10 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Duckweed has a high protein content and can be used as an ingredient in food and feed.

  • @lenelyn2.061
    @lenelyn2.061 6 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    can i know if how the bactiria do on our self and body

  • @amywalker7515
    @amywalker7515 2 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    I just read elsewhere that algae can help with carbon sequestration as some kinds emit huge amounts of oxygen. So it algae a good guy or a bad guy in the global warming picture?

  • @rosedelgadoofcreativefunfo3520
    @rosedelgadoofcreativefunfo3520 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Loved this video. My class will make slime tomorrow and discuss this topic.

  • @vijaydhamale8564
    @vijaydhamale8564 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Other than Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Light intensity, Temperature what can be more toxin producing or stress parameters on cyanobacteria ?

  • @tanzimsultana7097
    @tanzimsultana7097 ปีที่แล้ว

    Thanks for video

  • @asiancatgirl136
    @asiancatgirl136 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    these algal blooms; do they release poisons or toxins in the air if you say step on one? if so, will it suddenly kill you? the reason i ask one of my good friends passed away at a lake in corinth ky, he made it only 10ft in the lake and all of a sudden stopped breathing and died somehow i feel this may have been a cause but i just wondered if you had more information about that....he also turned blue and purple, could that be the algal blooms or do you believe something else could've caused this?

    • @allinoneknowledge7739
      @allinoneknowledge7739 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      No , this is not release poison in air.
      But it is release poison in water (algal broom).when u drink that water then it will cause vomiting , diarrhoea and even death if don't get treatment.
      I don't think , this is due to cyanobacteria cause death of ur friend.
      May be he is suffering from other disease?

    • @JohnSmith-qp4bt
      @JohnSmith-qp4bt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@allinoneknowledge7739 death most likely by hemorrhage of the liver or nervous system paralysis

  • @ricwhk
    @ricwhk ปีที่แล้ว

    I have cyanobacteria in my fish tank at home. i always have cuts on my hands due to dryness and allergy. Is the cyanobacteria dangerous to me as I have cuts on my hands and touch the water? .

  • @lau_dhondt
    @lau_dhondt 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    helpful! thanks

  • @capedluna
    @capedluna 2 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Came here bc I was reading a hiking article and one location that was in a canyon,I think in Utah said drinking was dangerous bc of cyanotoxins.

  • @CWBmtb
    @CWBmtb 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    How is BGA controlled when there a huge bloom in a water reservoir for example?

  • @dawnsolomon5288
    @dawnsolomon5288 ปีที่แล้ว

    What can one do if they have this one in human blood Aphanizomenon ovalisporum (light micrograph)

  • @alonzoshootingbear5713
    @alonzoshootingbear5713 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Is this that same like in Salem Oregon

  • @cintulator2
    @cintulator2 5 ปีที่แล้ว +2

    extreme smoothies for daring people...

  • @adityawankhede7260
    @adityawankhede7260 11 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Seeing her draw the structure of microcystin in one go caused me an aneurysm.

  • @lewisdoherty7621
    @lewisdoherty7621 8 ปีที่แล้ว +22

    With the high nitrogen and phosphorus in algae, I wonder what work has been done on the idea of skimming this algae and using it for furtilizer? I assume once decomposition begins, the various toxins degrade.

    • @emilybrown8264
      @emilybrown8264 8 ปีที่แล้ว +11

      Not all the toxins will degrade. Some of them are fairly stable and some of the algae actually produce more of the toxins as the bloom is dying off. Therefore, it would not be the best idea to use the toxic species as fertilizer. However, I believe there has been some studies done on using the non-toxic bloom forming species for both fertilizers and biofuels. (Source: I studied some harmful algal bloom species for undergraduate research and I am continuing to work on them for my PhD research)

    • @lewisdoherty7621
      @lewisdoherty7621 8 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      I suppose if the toxic blooms were harvested, pyrolysis or an heated oxidative process could be used to destroy the toxic molecules. That probably wouldn't be practical though.
      The thing that no one is really set up to undertake or too interested in undertaking is when there is a bloom and the resulting fish kill is to collect the awful smelling corpses and convert them to fertilizer. I think one time there was a big kill near an inhabited area and they picked up the fish and dumped them in a landfill. But it would be unlikely due to the unpredictable nature of these things to have a safe decay area set up to handle it. The alternatives of mining fertilizer and natural gas are too cheap.

    • @Royalchess1
      @Royalchess1 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Lewis Doherty VERY GOOD IDEA!! But it cant be toxic algae!

    • @lewisdoherty7621
      @lewisdoherty7621 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Royalchess1 Maybe the biochemists will come up with a relative inexpensive pathway to destroy its toxic aspects. I live down in south Louisiana and many of the waterways end up clogged with various plants, some invasive like water hyacinths. It would be nice to have a commercially viable way to clear the waterways by producing a product.

    • @robinkirsch1023
      @robinkirsch1023 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

      Well, the problem is it is just as effective as other organic fertilizers because once decomposition starts, every nitrogen above the ratio of 25:1 C:N will be converted to molecular nitrogen

  • @dubeyamit
    @dubeyamit 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    A question: how can I tell the difference between algae and Cyanobacteria? Are there any common visual cues?

    • @susangraham157
      @susangraham157 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

      Other types of algae rarely if ever form thick pea soup blooms or surface scums. Only cyanobacteria grow that way.

  • @HMJM777
    @HMJM777 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    9-7-19 Charlotte NC currently being affected

  • @rulerofthelight
    @rulerofthelight 4 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    So is the cyanobacteria in my aquarium gonna kill me?

    • @Robert-ry6xe
      @Robert-ry6xe 4 ปีที่แล้ว +2

      If you drink it

    • @rulerofthelight
      @rulerofthelight 4 ปีที่แล้ว

      @@Robert-ry6xe how much we talking, cause I've been known to get a mouth full when I start a syphon... haven't died yet but concerned

  • @xSofaKingBadx
    @xSofaKingBadx 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    The structure for cylindrospermopsin should have a cyclic guanidine group, not what is shown.

  • @CUBETechie
    @CUBETechie 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    But for what can they used especially the bloom? And is every algae blooms poisonous?
    0:11 what algae can we see on this picture in the background? It looks beautiful.

  • @sophiepoint6270
    @sophiepoint6270 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    How does one know if pool water could contain any cyanotoxins? The opening of a pool after winter involves cleaning green water. In above ground pools, not all water can be wasted because emptying the pool completely compromises the liner. So the final clean water could in theory contain such toxins. Does chlorine inactivate the toxins? (Very interesting article, thank you!)

  • @NeuroPulse
    @NeuroPulse 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Oh I saw it, I saw it way to close. I'm pretty sick now.

  • @Renram22
    @Renram22 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    I am so shook

  • @mattclinch1976
    @mattclinch1976 ปีที่แล้ว

    What about the good oxygen producing algaes?

  • @Roust7
    @Roust7 ปีที่แล้ว

    How does Cyanobacteria which produce oxygen by photosynthesis cause depletion of oxygen i the water??

    • @Blackpill149
      @Blackpill149 9 หลายเดือนก่อน

      when they are about to die they suck up oxygen

  • @matthewlollis8443
    @matthewlollis8443 ปีที่แล้ว

    goole imagings says i have a whole lot of this going on and is verylikly true since we have a well with no top sure wish i could fifd a doctor to listen its vey very troubling

  • @jaysilverheals4445
    @jaysilverheals4445 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    if the bacteria deplete oxygen in the water could there not be a condition near the surface where there in perfect conditions could be a layer of oxygen depleted air? This question is very important because it concerns the death of the family and dog that just occurred near Yosemite

  • @snowymountainlive
    @snowymountainlive 5 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can the algea be harmful if you cant see it while Swimming?

  • @altaccaltacc7652
    @altaccaltacc7652 3 หลายเดือนก่อน

    The forbidden matcha latte

  • @weed1634
    @weed1634 7 ปีที่แล้ว

    My friend drank algee and poured it on his head once.

  • @xBris
    @xBris 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Put the text closer to the camera - or just learn the text by heart - but it's really distracting to watch if the presenter doesn't look into the camera...

  • @kgarvy
    @kgarvy 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    Just want to point something out-- you mention that the algal mats can just be an eyesore unless they are toxic. However, from an ecological standpoint, they are still devastating if they decrease the oxygen in the water and lead to fish kills. Very interesting video though!

    • @TheBSideDJ
      @TheBSideDJ 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      i always thought algae take CO2 and produce O2, but she is talking about cyano"bacteria" (who also have the photosynthese pigment), ... do they not produce O2 ?

  • @ZionismIsRacism
    @ZionismIsRacism 5 ปีที่แล้ว +6

    Shout out to all those from Adrian, Michigan, being poisoned by the city.

  • @rohitbhatnagar7599
    @rohitbhatnagar7599 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    Blue-green Algae - I want to grow and eat in an aquarium, as it is healthy. Worried about toxins. Can someone help..

  • @gabrielgarcia-et7cv
    @gabrielgarcia-et7cv 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Does it grow on the ocean?

    • @JohnSmith-qp4bt
      @JohnSmith-qp4bt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      No. Too salty. But in Cape Town many years ago a lake near the ocean was infected with these blooms and later they found high concentrations of these toxins in the mussels off of the coast nearby. Mussels are filter feeding organisms

  • @dm_nimbus
    @dm_nimbus 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    What makes a chemical a good binding agent to another (receptor)? I know it has to do with structure, but it's not as simple as Legos.

    • @Sunset553
      @Sunset553 5 ปีที่แล้ว

      The “LEGO” structure is a big part of binding. The rest has to do with the reactivity of the atoms. A high polarity is one way two molecules will bind. Polarity is related to positive and negative charges. I can’t think of another reason for the connection, but that was a good question and I hope someone finishes the answer.

  • @caramelking-zf8wu
    @caramelking-zf8wu 3 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Chem Trail Air Planes = Blue-Green Alge !!!

  • @spacecatboy2962
    @spacecatboy2962 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    so will running the water through carbon get this poison out if we needed to drink the water

    • @JohnSmith-qp4bt
      @JohnSmith-qp4bt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      Carbon filtration might work, but you’re not solving the problem. You’re merely transferring the toxin from water to a solid. And then later you have to dispose of the saturated carbon solid. The way to address this is to chemically (oxidatively) destroy the organic structure of the toxin. You can follow this destruction nicely with a HPLC.

  • @sasukeuzamaki4507
    @sasukeuzamaki4507 7 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    I was drinking Naked ( A drink ) I was bored and found that I was drinking Blue Green Algae I search it up and this is what I get ... Smh

    • @sawlovesyou52
      @sawlovesyou52 7 ปีที่แล้ว

      Keep looking .....not on youtube. Your answers are in most every state in the union. I put some places where this stuff is growing.....and people or pets
      cannot get into the water. One guy washed his dog ..went into the hospital..
      dog was dead before he got out of the hospital.....wife says her husband is
      not the same.

    • @susangraham157
      @susangraham157 3 ปีที่แล้ว

      Actually spirulina IS one of many kinds of bluegreen algae. It doesn't produce much toxin. Many other kinds of bga do though.

  • @kylebaxter3456
    @kylebaxter3456 3 ปีที่แล้ว

    just rented waverunners for this lake next weekend, then they just put out a report that theirs toxic blue algae and you shouldn't be on jetskis or swim. Now i'm debating if I want to jetski, or live.... I'm now realllly annoyed at science and nature for creating a deathly algae! BAH!!

  • @Stoneabba9999
    @Stoneabba9999 2 ปีที่แล้ว

    May be connected to ALS.
    GUAM had 300 times the normal rate

  • @alecfj3472
    @alecfj3472 6 ปีที่แล้ว

    Awesome

  • @MrEthanhines
    @MrEthanhines 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    What is causing the current Blue-Algae Bloom in Mississippi?

    • @JohnSmith-qp4bt
      @JohnSmith-qp4bt 2 ปีที่แล้ว

      It has to be fertilizer run-off into the river

  • @waytgibbs3791
    @waytgibbs3791 8 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    The writing on this episode is not up to normal Reactions standards. Is the editor on vacation?

  • @mkuc6951
    @mkuc6951 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    Can I turn Anatoxin-a back into Cocaine?

  • @ghxst3d82
    @ghxst3d82 5 ปีที่แล้ว +1

    Is it just me or does she sound like blah blah cuz she just made a whole world of confusement

  • @Tekka579
    @Tekka579 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    ROFLMAO totally not the same grade...

  • @KingGeorgeIIIiwanttoperish
    @KingGeorgeIIIiwanttoperish 8 ปีที่แล้ว

    First

  • @omegadoesstuff334
    @omegadoesstuff334 4 ปีที่แล้ว

    PESKY?! HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY ALGAE SEA

  • @az.shanti
    @az.shanti 8 ปีที่แล้ว +8

    Great content. But, any chance you can make it less obvious that she's reading straight off the script.

  • @VVv-zv1nc
    @VVv-zv1nc ปีที่แล้ว

    climate change feedback loops

  • @Marcos-ed1qi
    @Marcos-ed1qi 3 ปีที่แล้ว +3

    Hahahaha now algae is dangerous. She does not mention that it only gets its dangerous poison from the already poluted water. Algae removes these poluents from the water. Climate chage... hahahaha