Filamentous green algae, via Missouri Department of Conservation
In a stagnant pond, you may see what looks like matted, green hair floating in the water. But it’s not a swamp monster. It’s filamentous green algae.
Piotrowski: “People typically go, ‘EW!’ but the truth is that they’re totally benign. They don’t produce toxins. They’re incredibly beneficial because they’re reducing nutrients in the water.”
Michael Piotrowski of the University of Wisconsin Madison says if the algae die, the nutrients go back in the water. That can fuel the growth of toxic algae blooms. So he says to get rid of unsightly filamentous algae…
Piotrowski: “Physically rake it out, scoop it up, whatever…”
In the process, you’ll help keep excess nutrients out of the water, too.
Hear Michael Piotrowski describe the benefits of filamentous algae:
Get Schooled:
- Learn more about filamentous algae from Penn State Extension
- See pictures of filamentous green algae of the Great Lakes, from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory.
The fine print:
- This segment was produced in partnership with Cornell University’s Atkinson Center for a Sustainable Future
