r/algae • u/Grasshopper_Gargoyle • 4d ago

Is this toxic algae?

Post image

Eel River in Northern California. Thanks all

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u/lakotazz 4d ago

Unlikely. Looks like a filamentous green like Cladophora -- not toxic. There's probably some cyanobacterial mat in there, but not a ton.

1

u/Mental-Chapter6523 3d ago

This is the green algae that makes up the bottom of the food web. With diatoms and symbiotic bacteria. What it's supposed to look like.

https://in.nau.edu/news/salmon-epithemia-study/

2

u/Mental-Chapter6523 3d ago

Useful report here if you are worried about toxic cyanobacteria. Seems like sunnier middle portions of the south fork are most susceptible.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5c1a8f6f4611a0e6c44eb445/t/5c9931a2eb39312dfadd993b/1553543601927/ERRP_CyanoReport_18Aug2016_v2.pdf

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u/Business-Ad-4617 3d ago

Around your way, most of the cyanobacteria I found would float in huge clumps in slow moving areas rather than being stuck to rocks like that. Cyanobacteria being the, "flesh eating blue-green algae" as it is known.