Officials in the state of Kansas have issued a warning to citizens regarding the emergence of harmful algae blooms in a number of state lakes, ponds, and reservoirs. Toxic blooms of blue-green algae can cause illness in both animals and humans if it is swallowed. The blooms are being caused in calm bodies of water by summer heat, which allows the blue-green algae to grow rapidly due to an increase in the necessary nutrients.
State officials issue warnings for lakes
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks both issued public health warnings relating to multiple bodies of water.
The blue-green algae that triggered the warnings are not technically algae. Also known as cyanobacteria they are a bacteria which typically exists in healthy numbers in the same bodies of water.
When the correct nutrients are provided by the heat these bacteria might begin to multiply in extreme numbers, creating the potentially harmful blooms that the state is warning of.
The dense growths that occur when large numbers of the cyanobacteria clump together in the water are known as harmful algae blooms or HAB.
As implied by the name these blooms are generally blue-green in color and are generally fairly visible on the surface of a calm body of water.
The blooms can vary widely in size and some might be too thin to be easily spotted, though at the larger sizes they might look like large patches of spilled paint.
Harmful toxins in blooms
Residents of the state are encouraged to report sightings of blue-green algae blooms in public bodies of water so that the state can maintain proper warnings.
While it is not known why exactly the blue-green algae produce the toxins which are harmful to humans and animals, they can release large amounts of it when formed into blooms.
These toxins can irritate the skin and eyes through external contact. If ingested they can cause respiratory and nervous system ailments.
These can potentially result in death as there is no known antidote in existence. Boiling is also ineffective in eliminating the toxins.
State residents are advised to keep pets and young children away from affected areas as they might intentionally ingest water which contains the harmful algae.
Everyone is strongly encouraged to avoid activities around harmful algae blooms which might unintentionally result in ingesting water, such as swimming or jet skiing.