willbmisled's Identifications

Reported cyanobacteria bloom by public on 12/9/19 who provided photo. Public Health investigated on 12/10/19. Bloom scum dissipated due to heavy. Pulled water sample and identified aphanizomenon. Water temperature was 41 degrees F and ambient air temperature was 50 degrees F at time of collection.

Many small colonies of Gloeotrichia could be seen in the water column. I see Gloeotrichia every year in Lovell Lake in early August. This year it is about 3 weeks early. Pictures are 200 and 400 magnification.

Microcystis aeruginosa, a cyanobacteria. Bloom has greatly dissipated. No visible surface scum but still the dominant organism under the microscope. Water clarity has dramatically improved. Can see the bottom clearly at on meter now, was only a few centimeters five days ago. Lake Okeechobee releases stopped about a week ago. Ecosystem doing its best to recover. Small mosquito fish, larger fish and stingray observed!

Microcystic aeruginosa from canal off the Caloosahatchee River estuary. Harmful Algae Bloom (HAB) has been in progress for about three months. Amount of surface scum has varried depending on amount of releases from Lake Okeechobee by Army Corp of Engineers.