That’s the title of an article in the Halifax Examiner by Zane Woodford, July 28, 2023.
The article describes what to look out for, how to distinguish BGA (Blue-green algae) from pollen or even an oil spill. “The difference is that the blue green algae is under water too, whereas pollen and oil sit on the surface.” It’s a very informative article, telling us, for example, the differences between algal blooms and benthic mats of BGA that can coat the bottom – it’s the latter that have been associated with death of dogs.
The benthic mats grow across the bottom of a lake or river. They’re not stringy like algae, and they can bubble.
The blooms, while still potentially harmful, are much less dangerous. They contain liver toxins, not neurotoxins like the mats.
“We haven’t seen instances of serious illness or serious adverse health effects in Nova Scotia associated with the blooms that you think of when you think of blue green algae, like those floating blooms,” Montgomery said.
A person would have to swallow a significant amount of blue green algae in a bloom to experience any effects. Montgomery said blooms are more likely to cause rashes, itchiness, and hives.
To date there have been no confirmed reports of BGA (blue-green algae) in Sandy Lake, but there was a “Harmful Algal Bloom” in August of 2019.
Thx, Zane Woodford/Halifax Examiner for sharing this practically helpful info., otherwise difficult to find.