Algae and Phycology

Algae are autotrophs, which means they produce their own food.

The slimy mucus stuff in a pool is probably algae.

Scientists are not sure why some populations of saltwater algae increase rapidly at times. But red tides occur most often when there is an increase in nutrients in the water. Saltwater algal blooms are commonly called red tides because the algae that grow rapidly often contain red pigments and turn the color of the water red. Some red tides occur regularly in certain seasons. For example, the cold bottom layers of the ocean contain a lot of nutrients. When this cold water mixes with the surface waters, more nutrients become available to surface organisms. With greater concentrations of nutrients present in the surface waters, blooms of algae occur. Increases in ocean temperature due to climate changes also affect the occurrence of red tides. Red tides are dangerous when the toxins that the algae produce become concentrated in the bodies of organisms that consume the algae. Shellfish, such as clams and mussels, feed on large numbers of the algae and store the toxins in their cells. Fishes may also feed on the algae and store the toxins. When people or other large organisms eat these shellfish and fishes, it may lead to severe illness or even death. Public health officials close beaches in areas of red tides to prevent people from fishing or gathering shellfish.

Lakes and ponds undergo natural processes of change over time. Eutrophication is a process in which nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, build up in a lake or pond over time, causing an increase in algae growth. Certain natural events and human activities can increase the rate of eutrophication. For example, when farmers and homeowners spread fertilizers on fields and lawns, some of the nutrients can run off into nearby lakes and ponds. Sewage treatment plants can leak waste water into the soil. The nutrients in the waste water make their way from the soil into water that leads into lakes and ponds. These events cause a rapid increase in algae growth. If the nutrient sources can be eliminated and the nutrients used up, eutrophication slows to its natural rate. Eutrophication triggers a series of events with serious consequences.First, the layer of algae prevents sunlight from reaching plants and other algae beneath the surface. Those organisms die and sink to the bottom. Then decomposers, such as bacteria, which break down the bodies of the dead organisms, increase in number. Soon the bacteria use up the oxygen in the water. Without oxygen, fishes and other organisms in the water die. About the only organisms that survive are the algae on the surface.

Spirogyra does not have a specialized organ of locomotion like animals do; instead, it exhibits a form of movement through a process known as "water currents" or passive movement. This filamentous green alga floats in water and can be carried by currents, allowing it to spread. Additionally, spirogyra can undergo a form of reproduction called fragmentation, which helps in its propagation rather than active locomotion.

Algae is found in water (that is) in river, pond or in lake, because water turns out to be green and hard to filter. Fish life is affected, if large number of algae is present. Waters is polluted and fish dies. If we keep aquarium fish will be healthy, every alternate days or everyday water in the fish tank can be cleaned so that fish would be protected, nutritious food will be given to them.

To dissolve the algae in a clogged pipe, you will have to turn on the dry or wet vacuum.

Light is made by algae by a chemical reaction that the algae produces in order for the algae itself to have enough food to survive. I suppose it is quite a natural and interesting chemical reaction.