Latest news with #algaebloom
CBC
08-07-2025
- Climate
- CBC
Dead fish were found in a west-end Toronto pond. Authorities are trying to find out why
Provincial and local authorities are investigating after several dead fish were discovered in Topham Pond in Toronto's Eglinton Flats park over the weekend. Video on social media showed the pond's shoreline buzzing with flies and dotted with the remains of several small fish and a few larger fish. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks said an investigation is underway to determine the exact cause for the fish die-off, but that it could likely be a natural occurrence. "TRCA is working with the city to address this situation and have shared that recent temperature fluctuations in the past few weeks may be a natural cause of the dead fish in the pond," said the ministry in a statement. The ministry added there was no evidence of any chemical spills in the vicinity that could have caused the fish to die. Jacek Pawlikowski, a microbiologist who happened to be near Topham Pond on Tuesday, said other dead animals would have been found in the park had there been a chemical spill. Instead, he believes the fish died from algae blooms, a sudden overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, that eventually died and consumed the oxygen in the water. "Every year, we have some lack of oxygen and it's coming from the decaying algae… [which means] fish are dying," said Pawlikowski. "The blooming algae and then lack of oxygen at the last stage when they are decaying underwater is normal around the world." According to a Facebook post in the Toronto Fishing Club group, a family fishing event on Saturday was cancelled following concerns from the "significant" fish die-off and the resulting investigation. TRCA said in a statement that it would work closely with the City of Toronto for any necessary cleanup or remediation.
CBC
08-07-2025
- Health
- CBC
B.C. pet owner warns of blue-green algae dangers following dog's death
"It was kind of like any other day." Kristin Awde's 15-year-old daughter and their young dog were playing in the yard on a sunny June day while Awde cleaned the windows on their summer home at Nicola Lake. Their dog, an English springer spaniel named Romie, wandered down to the lake — not unusual for the pup, who'd been in the lake the day before. But when he emerged, his belly and mouth were covered in green slime. "He looked disoriented and unwell and started vomiting," Awde told CBC's Radio West. She and her daughter tried to clean Romie off, but when he lost consciousness, they got in the car and raced him to the vet for emergency care. Romie died on the veterinarian's examination table, about 45 minutes after he'd entered the water, Awde said. Now, she is warning others of the dangers algae pose for both pets and humans, and is working with her community to ensure there is some sort of oversight of the lake to make sure people know when it's unsafe to swim. B.C. Parks and the Upper Nicola Band have issued warnings about the algae bloom in Nicola Lake, discouraging swimming and drinking lake water. Interior Health Medical Health Officer Dr. Andy Delli Pizzi said in an email to CBC News that a sign is posted at the campgrounds and day use area at Monck Provincial Parks due to the history and risk associated with toxic algae blooms. The Upper Nicola Band said in a July 1 Facebook post it is monitoring the lake. "The water is sick and needs some time to heal," the band said. "Please continue to say prayers for the water as we continue to collect data to narrow in on mitigation measures to help the water." The appearance of blooms of blue-green algae, also known as cyanobacteria, can vary, and in some cases, they aren't even blue-green in colour. Signs of blooms include a musty or earthy odour coming from the water and dead wildlife near the shores. Blue-green algae multiplies quickly in warmer months and produces toxins that are poisonous to people and animals, according to Interior Health. The health authority said boiling water does not remove the toxins, so if you get your water from a source contaminated with blue-green algae, it's best to find an alternate drinking source. Symptoms from blue-green algae include headaches, nausea, fever, sore throat, dizziness, stomach cramping, vomiting, muscle aches, mouth ulcers and rashes. Anyone who becomes unwell after contact with water that may be contaminated with blue-green algae is advised to seek immediate medical or veterinary advice. Accountability Awde said the Nicola Lake community gathered together Monday to discuss the algae bloom and how to prevent further illness and death. She said the hope was that a detection system could be in place, and in the event a toxic bloom was discovered, some sort of mass communication could be shared with the community. "A Facebook post can only go so far," Awde said. She said they'd like to know someone is responsible for preventing and managing algae blooms. "Right now, that seems to be not being managed properly by any government agency," Awde said. "We're at a bit of a loss to try to figure out how we can lobby for something like this to get into place."
Daily Mail
01-07-2025
- Science
- Daily Mail
The sad reason dead great white shark washed up on popular beach
Locals in a coastal South Australian town gathered in horror around the carcass of a great white shark that is believed to be the latest victim of a killer algae. Since mid-March, hundreds of fish, sharks, rays, and other marine life have been affected by Karenia mikimotoi algae along the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas and Kangaroo Island, south of Adelaide. The toxic algae is microscopic and known for its harmful blooms which can also cause illness and irritation in humans. Months after it first emerged, residents along the coast continue to be shocked by the ongoing crisis in the waters. Community Facebook page Shark Watch South Australia shared photos and videos of a dead female great white, which was found washed up on the shore on Friday. A fisheries officer could be seen raising the fish, thought to be roughly 3.7m in length, onto a trailer in Port Broughton, roughly 170 km northwest of Adelaide. A crowd of adults and children could be seen in footage looking down on the deceased shark, prodding its sharp teeth. Locals took to the comments section of the Facebook post to share their upset over the death of the shark. One user called the loss 'devastating' while others said the death was 'such a shame'. A third said: 'This is absolutely heartbreaking. We have somehow managed to suffocate all the marine life in South Australia.' The SA Government's Department for Environment and Water confirmed on Saturday the algal bloom has affected various marine wildlife. The last large event of this type of algae recorded in South Australia was at Coffin Bay in 2014. 'It is a major concern that it could keep happening every warm season,' Dr Christopher Keneally told Daily Mail Australia. The microbial ecologist, who is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Adelaide, explained there is a risk of the bloom creating a cycle in Australian waters. 'As we start to see this bloom wrap up, we're worried that what we're going to see is some of these cells sink into the sediment and lay dormant until next summer. 'So, potentially, we might see this go on continuously, or even stop and then come back next summer, and maybe continue year on year.' Dr Keneally added the news that marine life was washing up on metropolitan beaches, like at Port Broughton, would help raise awareness. 'It's really concerning (and) it makes the issue a little bit more acute,' the ecologist said. '(It means there is) a little bit more knowledge and publicity about it, so something can be done and we can fix it faster.' Dr Keneally highlighted this is a global issue related to climate change and higher sea surface temperatures. 'What does fixing it look like? It's the same as a bush fire,' he said. 'All you can do is prepare and forecast and look towards the future and then maybe try and fix the issues around fuel and temperature on a broader scale, globally.' The Department for Environment and Water has said nothing can be done to dilute or dissipate the bloom. Government agencies are monitoring the situation. Signs are in place at public entry points to affected beaches and national parks. Beaches remain open.
CBS News
27-06-2025
- Climate
- CBS News
Toxic blue-green algae blooms are sprouting up in Minnesota lakes, closing some beaches
A number of Minnesota cities have reported blue-green algae blooms this summer, causing the temporary closing of some beaches. Blue-green algae is bacteria that can be toxic for both humans and pets. "We have a lot packed into this park so on a typical summer day it's busy from one end to the other," said Amy Markle, Parks and Recreation Director for Eden Prairie. For about a week and a half, Riley Lake Beach in Eden Prairie was shut down after the detection of blue-green algae. Water samples confirmed that the bright green bloom with blue streaks, which looked like spilled paint, contained harmful toxins. "The tricky thing with blue-green algae is sometimes, when the bacteria break down, that's actually when the toxins can be released," said Markle. If ingested, the bacteria can cause vomiting, diarrhea, rash and headache. Blooms have been found earlier than normal this year, due to early ice-outs on many lakes. Algae blooms are fueled by two things: an abundance of nutrients in a lake and rapidly warming water temperatures. "Think about a garden, and you need sunlight and water and nutrients in a garden. And you are going to have a great, beautiful garden. Well, algae is a lot of the same way," Kim Laing, with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, said. Laing said the only real preventative measure is to keep nitrogen and phosphorus from getting into lakes and ponds. "Whether it's vegetative buffers, or other avenues, try and keep those nutrients on the land and out of the water," said Laing. As for Riley Lake Beach, it re-opened after 10 days. Swimming has returned, but with hot days ahead, they'll continue to keep a close eye on the water. "It's kind of the perfect recipe for it, so our lifeguard team is watchful. They do a visual inspection in the morning to see if there is any present before we open the beach up for swimming," said Markle. The Environmental Protection Agency has information on its website on how you can detect and report an algae bloom, if you see one in your area.
CTV News
26-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
Algae bloom confirmed in Commanda Lake
Northern Ontario Watch The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit says an algae bloom has been confirmed in the southwest part of Commanda Lake.
