We will provide some photos in each Bloom Watch to help everyone better identify blooms.
This week, we contrast blooms with another phenomenon. The photo on the left was taken this year in a small tributary that was blocked from entering Keuka Lake. It is NOT a cyanobacteria bloom. The green splotches are a macro algae, commonly seen in stagnant water such as ditches. The photo on the right is a cyanobacteria bloom (HAB) from Seneca Lake last year.
Key differences are:
- Macro algae is 3-dimensional, that is it can be puffed above the surface and dangle below the surface. HABs are usually very 2-dimensional and appear flat.
- Macro algae is a heavy mass and sticks together. HABs are very easy to break apart (with a stick, not hands).
Do not put your hands in a bloom. Blooms are most often mainly green, but can take on some other colors. They can appear as streaks, blotches, dots, or scum.
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