Natural processes and human activities can significantly affect the condition and characteristics of lakes, ultimately influencing water quality. Algae, essential for maintaining the aquatic ecosystem, rely on nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus for their growth. While these microscopic plants are vital to our planet’s health, excessive nutrient levels, often due to human activities, can lead to rapid and troublesome algae growth.
Algae, whether as single cells or colonies, occupy a crucial place in the aquatic food chain. They serve as a primary food source for zooplankton, microscopic animals that, in turn, nourish various fish and aquatic creatures. Additionally, algae release oxygen into the water through photosynthesis, supporting the respiration of fish and other aquatic life.
However, an overabundance of algae can have adverse effects. When large populations of algae die off, decomposition processes consume oxygen, potentially limiting its availability to other lake inhabitants. This oxygen depletion can disrupt the delicate balance of aquatic ecosystems.
Algae blooms, characterized by rapid algal growth, are often fueled by warm water temperatures, sunlight, and an abundance of nutrients. These blooms are typically followed by a decline in nutrients, leading to reduced algal presence. During a bloom, lakes may develop a greenish surface scum, emitting unpleasant odors and tastes. Some blooms, particularly those of blue-green algae, produce toxins that can pose risks to people, pets, and wildlife.
Algal blooms are not limited to lakes; they also plague surface water sources like rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. Climate change and eutrophication exacerbate these blooms, leading to deteriorating water quality in drinking water supplies. To ensure safe potable water, treatment plants employ various processes, including coagulation, clarification, filtration, and disinfection. While these processes effectively remove pathogens and contaminants, they struggle with algal organic matter (AOM), a byproduct of algae cells.
AOM presents a series of challenges in drinking water treatment. It increases the demand for coagulants, blocks activated carbon adsorption sites, promotes biofilm growth, and raises disinfection by-product formation during chlorination. These challenges translate into higher production costs for clean and safe drinking water.
In essence, the proliferation of algae necessitates greater use of flocculation, chlorination, coagulation, and filtration products in water treatment. Consequently, the overall cost of water production rises compared to standard treatment procedures without algal blooms.
The challenges posed by algal blooms, including increased chemical usage and maintenance demands, result in higher treatment expenses. As we grapple with the impact of algae on water quality, it becomes evident that addressing this issue is not only an environmental imperative but also a financial necessity for ensuring affordable and accessible clean water for all.
