Some species of blue green algae produce toxins that are poisonous to livestock, wildlife, and humans. This makes it necessary to monitor levels of blue green algae in water, especially as the algae is not always visible.
Applications for blue-green algae testing include water treatment plants monitoring the levels in drinking water, and fishery managers ensuring that it is not present in their lakes – as this could starve the fish of oxygen when the algae die off.
Blue-green algae blooms can negatively affect humans when affected freshwater is used for recreation purposes, such as swimming and boating. Not only does the water look and smell unappealing but the toxins can cause symptoms such as stomach cramps, fever, and difficulty breathing.
Water affected by blue-green algae is also unsuitable for agricultural use.
Testing for algae in drinking water and reservoirs is vital, as it can make the water ultimately undrinkable and impact drinking water supplies.
Conducting a blue-green algae test using fluorometers is possible because the pigments within the bacteria are fluorescent. This means that when light of a certain wavelength is emitted, the algae absorbs the light energy and emits a light of its own. A fluorometer is a form of blue-green algae sensor that enables concentrations of it to be tested in the field, which means that it's not necessary to collect samples for analysis in a laboratory.
Laboratory analysis can be a lengthy process and delay control actions. Using a fluorometer to detect it provides instant results.
