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We have excessive algae grow problem due to the low water flow caused by drought. Algae removal will improve the dissolved oxygen level and improve the water quality.
Pictured is a small stream with green algae (Chlorophyta) covering the rocks. This picture was taken in the afternoon, on the Weber State University campus in Ogden, Utah on September, 18 2018. Algae seems very boring but it is actually an incredibly important part of an ecosystem. Apart from being a primary producer and the base of the food web, algae also plays a critical role in its habitats such as helping to clean the water by absorbing heavy metals and other nutrients. It also produces oxygen as a product of photosynthesis, and fixes nitrogen so that it's available for other organisms in the nutrient cycle. Algae can also be an indicator of the health of an aquatic system. Because of its sensitivity to changes in temperature and pH, careful monitoring of algae can reveal changes that have taken place in the water. Unfortunately, an excess of nutrients from things like land runoff can cause an algal bloom which can cause serious problems for the aquatic environment as it not only blocks light from everything underneath it, it also uses up a substantial amount of oxygen in the water. After dying, the algae will sink to the bottom of the body of water and use up even more of the water's oxygen in the decomposition process.
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I think this was along the Melrose Country Harbour Rd. Had to cross a little single lane bridge. Didn't even need a polarizing filter to see through into the water.
Unidentified species of brown algae (?). Similar to sea cauliflower (Leathesia spp.) but some specimens are distinctly globular. Possibly young Soranthera spp. (?) although many do not appear to have the distinct studs that give them the name "studded sea balloon". Possibly several species or stages.
[OPRD_Hillmann.L_081010_BrownAlgae12]
This and a couple other fish of this type were brought to the lake and pond to clean up the algae that had formed across them both. They were very hungry and it was cleaned up quickly. I think these fish are beautiful and understand they don't come cheap. This one looks like it was flying across the water but in fact was swimming as it does very close to the surface.