What Makes Blue-Green Algae Dangerous?-Speaking of Chemistry

[@mthompson5922]

The picture of the frog shows it in duckweed, I believe, not algae. Duckweed is a flowering aquatic plant often confused with algae.

[@maebird-sings]

I second that :)

[@coleq.7300]

And I third that

[@gamer-gd8mu]

I fourth that.

[@FoxyFemBoi]

Many types of duckweed are edible :D

[@skydivertyler]

I love learning about random chemicals, their effects, and their active groups.

[@julesverne6287]

have a look at Nile red or chemplayer on KZbin :)

[@skydivertyler]

+Lorcan O'Brien I know Nile Red but ill check out chemplayer ;)

[@Quintinohthree]

+SkydiverTyler Amazing channels both if you like amateur chemistry. Doug's Lab and Nurdrage are similar but post less frequently.

[@julesverne6287]

+SkydiverTyler Cody's lab too, and periodic table of videos of course

[@portcullis5622]

The photo with the frog is a tiny flowering plant called duckweed (Lemna). This could confuse people as it is harmless to humans but can be annoying on garden ponds. It is really difficult to get a positive identification of blue- green algae. I was fishing at a small lake in Yorkshire (England) recently, and the surface was covered in algae (as it often is) due to eutrophication caused by agricultural runoff. As it was a pale green algae, I presumed that it was not the toxic blue-green algae. I had to handle it, as it kept clogging my lines as the wind kept moving it around the lake. It usually starts off as tiny dark green strands in early summer. As I have felt a bit unwell over the last two weeks (upset stomach), I am beginning to wonder whether the algae is a toxic species. Is there a way of being certain of the species and whether it is safe (other than sending a sample to a laboratory)?

[@tati5311]

Duckweed has a high protein content and can be used as an ingredient in food and feed.

[@lewisdoherty7621]

With the high nitrogen and phosphorus in algae, I wonder what work has been done on the idea of skimming this algae and using it for furtilizer? I assume once decomposition begins, the various toxins degrade.

[@emilybrown8264]

Not all the toxins will degrade. Some of them are fairly stable and some of the algae actually produce more of the toxins as the bloom is dying off. Therefore, it would not be the best idea to use the toxic species as fertilizer. However, I believe there has been some studies done on using the non-toxic bloom forming species for both fertilizers and biofuels. (Source: I studied some harmful algal bloom species for undergraduate research and I am continuing to work on them for my PhD research)

[@lewisdoherty7621]

I suppose if the toxic blooms were harvested, pyrolysis or an heated oxidative process could be used to destroy the toxic molecules. That probably wouldn't be practical though. The thing that no one is really set up to undertake or too interested in undertaking is when there is a bloom and the resulting fish kill is to collect the awful smelling corpses and convert them to fertilizer. I think one time there was a big kill near an inhabited area and they picked up the fish and dumped them in a landfill. But it would be unlikely due to the unpredictable nature of these things to have a safe decay area set up to handle it. The alternatives of mining fertilizer and natural gas are too cheap.

[@Royalchess1]

Lewis Doherty VERY GOOD IDEA!! But it cant be toxic algae!

[@lewisdoherty7621]

Royalchess1 Maybe the biochemists will come up with a relative inexpensive pathway to destroy its toxic aspects. I live down in south Louisiana and many of the waterways end up clogged with various plants, some invasive like water hyacinths. It would be nice to have a commercially viable way to clear the waterways by producing a product.

[@robinkirsch1023]

Well, the problem is it is just as effective as other organic fertilizers because once decomposition starts, every nitrogen above the ratio of 25:1 C:N will be converted to molecular nitrogen

[@capedluna]

Came here bc I was reading a hiking article and one location that was in a canyon,I think in Utah said drinking was dangerous bc of cyanotoxins.

[@jackdolah2031]

Best science and most underrated channel on KZbin! Keep it up guys !

[@CUBETechie]

But for what can they used especially the bloom? And is every algae blooms poisonous? 0:11 what algae can we see on this picture in the background? It looks beautiful.

[@klausschaap1834]

Duckweed not an algae

[@dm_nimbus]

Legendary structure drawing ability 🖖🏼

[@tamkakit1233]

Her drawing skill is great!

[@theultimatereductionist7592]

I love chemical names and chemical structure diagrams.

[@jaysilverheals4445]

if the bacteria deplete oxygen in the water could there not be a condition near the surface where there in perfect conditions could be a layer of oxygen depleted air? This question is very important because it concerns the death of the family and dog that just occurred near Yosemite

[@sophiepoint6270]

How does one know if pool water could contain any cyanotoxins? The opening of a pool after winter involves cleaning green water. In above ground pools, not all water can be wasted because emptying the pool completely compromises the liner. So the final clean water could in theory contain such toxins. Does chlorine inactivate the toxins? (Very interesting article, thank you!)

[@amywalker7515]

I just read elsewhere that algae can help with carbon sequestration as some kinds emit huge amounts of oxygen. So it algae a good guy or a bad guy in the global warming picture?

[@vijaydhamale8564]

Other than Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Light intensity, Temperature what can be more toxin producing or stress parameters on cyanobacteria ?

[@Solitudelakemanagement]

Wow, great explanation Sophia! HABs can sneak up on those who don't know what to watch out for...cyanotoxin and saxatoxin... gnarly stuff!

[@cintulator2]

extreme smoothies for daring people...

[@xSofaKingBadx]

The structure for cylindrospermopsin should have a cyclic guanidine group, not what is shown.

[@rulerofthelight]

So is the cyanobacteria in my aquarium gonna kill me?

[@Robert-ry6xe]

If you drink it

[@rulerofthelight]

@@Robert-ry6xe how much we talking, cause I've been known to get a mouth full when I start a syphon... haven't died yet but concerned

[@WlyAbdulrahman]

I think this is the algae that is in Lake Maninjau right now, I'm worried if the ecosystem in Lake Maninjau is getting worse

[@ricwhk]

I have cyanobacteria in my fish tank at home. i always have cuts on my hands due to dryness and allergy. Is the cyanobacteria dangerous to me as I have cuts on my hands and touch the water? .

[@adityawankhede7260]

Seeing her draw the structure of microcystin in one go caused me an aneurysm.

[@lenelyn2.061]

can i know if how the bactiria do on our self and body

[@NeuroPulse]

Oh I saw it, I saw it way to close. I'm pretty sick now.

[@xBris]

Put the text closer to the camera - or just learn the text by heart - but it's really distracting to watch if the presenter doesn't look into the camera...

[@dubeyamit]

A question: how can I tell the difference between algae and Cyanobacteria? Are there any common visual cues?

[@susangraham157]

Other types of algae rarely if ever form thick pea soup blooms or surface scums. Only cyanobacteria grow that way.

[@rohitbhatnagar7599]

Blue-green Algae - I want to grow and eat in an aquarium, as it is healthy. Worried about toxins. Can someone help..

[@CWBmtb]

How is BGA controlled when there a huge bloom in a water reservoir for example?

[@tanzimsultana7097]

Thanks for video

[@rosedelgadoofcreativefunfo3520]

Loved this video. My class will make slime tomorrow and discuss this topic.

[@snowymountainlive]

Can the algea be harmful if you cant see it while Swimming?

[@kgarvy]

Just want to point something out-- you mention that the algal mats can just be an eyesore unless they are toxic. However, from an ecological standpoint, they are still devastating if they decrease the oxygen in the water and lead to fish kills. Very interesting video though!

[@TheBSideDJ]

i always thought algae take CO2 and produce O2, but she is talking about cyano"bacteria" (who also have the photosynthese pigment), ... do they not produce O2 ?

[@KapQueen]

9-7-19 Charlotte NC currently being affected

[@dawnsolomon5288]

What can one do if they have this one in human blood Aphanizomenon ovalisporum (light micrograph)

[@mattclinch1976]

What about the good oxygen producing algaes?

[@weed1634]

My friend drank algee and poured it on his head once.

[@sasukeuzamaki4507]

I was drinking Naked ( A drink ) I was bored and found that I was drinking Blue Green Algae I search it up and this is what I get ... Smh

[@sawlovesyou52]

Keep looking .....not on youtube. Your answers are in most every state in the union. I put some places where this stuff is growing.....and people or pets cannot get into the water. One guy washed his dog ..went into the hospital.. dog was dead before he got out of the hospital.....wife says her husband is not the same.

[@susangraham157]

Actually spirulina IS one of many kinds of bluegreen algae. It doesn't produce much toxin. Many other kinds of bga do though.

[@dm_nimbus]

What makes a chemical a good binding agent to another (receptor)? I know it has to do with structure, but it's not as simple as Legos.

[@Sunset553]

The “LEGO” structure is a big part of binding. The rest has to do with the reactivity of the atoms. A high polarity is one way two molecules will bind. Polarity is related to positive and negative charges. I can’t think of another reason for the connection, but that was a good question and I hope someone finishes the answer.

[@Roust7]

How does Cyanobacteria which produce oxygen by photosynthesis cause depletion of oxygen i the water??

[@Returntonature145]

when they are about to die they suck up oxygen

[@spacecatboy2962]

so will running the water through carbon get this poison out if we needed to drink the water

[@JohnSmith-qp4bt]

Carbon filtration might work, but you’re not solving the problem. You’re merely transferring the toxin from water to a solid. And then later you have to dispose of the saturated carbon solid. The way to address this is to chemically (oxidatively) destroy the organic structure of the toxin. You can follow this destruction nicely with a HPLC.

[@kylebaxter3456]

just rented waverunners for this lake next weekend, then they just put out a report that theirs toxic blue algae and you shouldn't be on jetskis or swim. Now i'm debating if I want to jetski, or live.... I'm now realllly annoyed at science and nature for creating a deathly algae! BAH!!

[@alonzoshootingbear5713]

Is this that same like in Salem Oregon

[@Renram22]

I am so shook

[@matthewlollis8443]

goole imagings says i have a whole lot of this going on and is verylikly true since we have a well with no top sure wish i could fifd a doctor to listen its vey very troubling

[@gabrielgarcia-et7cv]

Does it grow on the ocean?

[@JohnSmith-qp4bt]

No. Too salty. But in Cape Town many years ago a lake near the ocean was infected with these blooms and later they found high concentrations of these toxins in the mussels off of the coast nearby. Mussels are filter feeding organisms

[@altaccaltacc7652]

The forbidden matcha latte

[@lau_dhondt]

helpful! thanks

[@caramelking-zf8wu]

Chem Trail Air Planes = Blue-Green Alge !!!

[@MrEthanhines]

What is causing the current Blue-Algae Bloom in Mississippi?

[@JohnSmith-qp4bt]

It has to be fertilizer run-off into the river

[@waytgibbs3791]

The writing on this episode is not up to normal Reactions standards. Is the editor on vacation?

[@Stoneabba9999]

May be connected to ALS. GUAM had 300 times the normal rate

[@mkuc6951]

Can I turn Anatoxin-a back into Cocaine?

[@5p3ctrL]

Is it just me or does she sound like blah blah cuz she just made a whole world of confusement

[@az.shanti]

Great content. But, any chance you can make it less obvious that she's reading straight off the script.

[@Tekka579]

ROFLMAO totally not the same grade...

[@alecfj3472]

Awesome

[@Marcos-ed1qi]

Hahahaha now algae is dangerous. She does not mention that it only gets its dangerous poison from the already poluted water. Algae removes these poluents from the water. Climate chage... hahahaha

[@omegadoesstuff334]

PESKY?! HOW DARE YOU INSULT MY ALGAE SEA

Why is her speech so... weird.

[@dropmelon]

How is it weird?

[@KingGeorgeIIIiwanttoperish]

First

[@VVv-zv1nc]

climate change feedback loops

[@seacowDUGONG]

Teacher is cute. Please switch careers ...thirst