Scientists work together to study this invasive species.
In both 2004 and 2005, Lake Sunapee had a bloom of Gloeotrichia echinulata, a blue green alga or cyanobacteria, especially in Herrick Cove. Gloeotrichia winters over in the lake bottom sediment, and emerges when light and temperature conditions are right for it, usually in August.
Gloeotrichia appears as lots of tiny yellow-green dots suspended in the water column. It can be toxic to animals and humans, causing skin irritation and digestive upset. The individual Gloeotrichia in Sunapee have been toxic but there has not been enough volume to cause these problems.
Interested in learning as much as possible about this potential problem for Lake Sunapee, LSPA sponsored a Dartmouth College biology student doing research for her senior honors thesis. During the summer of 2006, Cayelan Carey placed specially designed traps at 11 Lake Sunapee sites and collected the Gloeotrichia samples twice a week. During the winter of 2006, she analyzed the samples and the resultant data. She continues her research currently as a graduate scientist, and has spent a year in Sweden, another location that has a history of research on the alga.
In 2007, Gloeo studies continue in Lake Sunapee and in Sweden. Gloeo is seen worldwide and locally in such lakes as Winnespesaukee and Champlain.
Date published on web site:
09-01-2007
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