INVESTIGATORY PROJECT IN BIOLOGY

A STUDY ON HARMFUL EFFECTS OF

ALGAE ON WATER BODIES

Submitted byAparna P. Nampoothiri

SHANTHINIKETAN SCHOOL(Senior Secondary)

Kunnumpuram, Vilappil, Thiruvananthapuram – 73

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that project in Chemistry entitled A STUDY ON

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF ALGAE ON WATER BODIES is a

bonafide record of work done by Kum. Aparna P. Nampoothiri

Reg No. ……..……………for the requirement of CLASS XII practical

examination of AISSCE during the academic year 2012 – 2013.

Teacher in charge External Examiner

Head of the institution

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Topic Page no:

1 Acknowledgement 4

2 Introduction 5

3 What are algae ? 5

4 Types of algae 6

5 Habitat 6

6 Importance of algae 6

7 Harmful effects of algae

8 7

9 Objective 8

10 Theory 8

11 Requirements 9

12 Procedure 11

13 Observations and calculations 12

14 Result 14

15 Conclusions 14

16 Bibliography 15

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I acknowledge with gratitude the immense help and knowledge

provided by Sri. Sam …......, our teacher of Botony and my grateful

thanks are to him for his able teaching and guidance. I also thank the

school authorities, my parents, my aunts and uncles, my brother and my

friends for their constant support and co-operation.

I also thank Smt. Sajitha Rajan, Lecturer, All Saints College,

Trivandrum for the able guidance provided and the College Authorities

for the immense help extended in using the laboratory facilities without

which this project would not have been complete in this full shape.

I also thank the Guruvayoor Temple authorities and other people

who have extended immense help to me in completing this project

successfully.

I also thank the almighty for all the blessings.

INTRODUCTION

I would like to draw the attention of all to the following news

clipping:

“A striking evidence of ignorance by various Governments and

its departments for keeping the heritage zones in

Thiruvananthapuram city clean, Sreevaraham and

Mithranandapuram ponds are few among them. But finally

there are some good news for heritage lovers of

Thiruvananthapuram. Thiruvananthapuram Corporation has

initiated a project to clean both ponds on an emergency basis.

A total amount of Rs.14 lakh is alloted for the 1st phase of the

project. The 1st phase includes cleaning the pond and

construction of sidewalls and beautification of its surroundings.

The Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation K. Chandrika

has inaugurated the project”.

My mother's sister lives very near to the Mithranandapuram

temple. Sreevaraham is also not far. Seeing the news clipping I decided

to visit the said ponds for ascertaining the facts. It was the first time that

I realized, algae can cause such a heavy damage to the water bodies. It

was learnt that algae have harmful effects also.

Hence I decided to have a study on presence of Algae on water

bodies such as ponds and their Harmful Effects thereon.

What are algae ?

Algae are a group of chlorophyll bearing, photosynthetic,

autotrophic, thalloid plants. Their body is not differentiated into true

roots, stems and leaves. They lack vascular tissue and epidermis with

stomata. The study of algae is termed Phycology. The term “algae” was

coined by Carolus Linnaeus. The form and size of algae are highly

variable. The size ranges from microscopic unicellular to colonial,

filamentous and to massive plant bodies. They fall into a heterogeneous

group of cryptogamic plants comprising thirteen large phyla.

Algal diversity

They fall into a heterogeneous group of cryptogamic plants

comprising thirteen large phyla.

As on date 40,000 algal species have been described. Another

3,60,000 species are believed to exist on the earth. A total of 834 species

of algae having reported from Kerala.

The blue-green algae are a large and morphologically diverse group of phototrophic prokaryotes

The green algae are cosmopolitan and occur in marine brackish, fresh waters and soil environments.

The brown algae are global in distribution and essentially marine.

The red algae forms the largest group and predominantly marine.

The Charophyta are predominantly freshwater

Types of algae

Algae are mainly divided into three classes: Chlorophyceae (green

algae), Phaeophyceae(brown algae) and Rhodophyceae(red algae).

Habitat

Algae are mainly aquatic. Algae thrive both in marine as well as

fresh water. They can also be seen in terrestrial habitats like moist soils,

wet rocks, tree trunks and moist walls etc. Aquatic algae are found in

water either completely submerged or free floating on the surface. In

fresh water bodies such as rivers, ponds, lakes etc they are seen either

floating in masses or attached to submerged bodies such are stones.

Some fresh water algae are Spirogyra, Ulothrix, Oedogonium, Zygnema,

Cladophora, Clamydomonas, Volvax etc.

In marine conditions the mostly seen are brow and red algae.

However some green and blue green algae also occur in marine

conditions. Examples of marine algae are Sargassum, Padina, Ulva,

Polysiphonia etc.

Terrestrial genera are found on or beneath the moist soil. Some

occur on the surface also. Eg. Vaucheria, Botrydium etc.

Terrestrial forms can be further classified as

- cryophytes (those that grow in ice). But these algae show specific

color effect under such conditions. Eg. Yellow Green color of

Chlamydomonas yellow-stonensis, red color of Chlamydomonas

Nivalis etc.

- aerophytes (those that are adapted for aerial mode of life) found in

tree barks, moist walls, flower pots, rocks, fencing wires etc. They

take water and carbon dioxide directly from atmosphere.

- thermophytes (those that are found in hot springs at quite high

temperature). These forms tolerate temperatures up to 850C. Eg.

Oscillatoria Brevis, Synechococcus Elongates etc.

Importance of algae

Algae have important ecological roles, including producing most of

the world’s oxygen and being the primary producers – the basis of the

food chain for all other life – in the ocean.

Algae are one of the important sources of food for fishes, aquatic

amphibian, mammals and other animals. Algae like Gracilaria and

Gelidium are used as food in coastal regions of India. Spirulina, a type of

blue-green algae is rich in proteins, vitamin B complex and minerals.

Powdered Spirulina is used in herbal tonics and biscuits.

In New Zealand, Denmark, France, Norway etc some algae like

sargassum, ascophyllum, marcocystis etc are used as fodder for animals.

Algae Chlorella Pyrenoidosa and Synechococcus are useful for

astronauts for the reason that these algae multiply rapidly and thus will

synthesize a rich harvest of food utilizing the carbon di oxide and

liberating sufficient oxygen as a byproduct for the use of astronauts.

Iodine obtained from kelps is used to prepare various anti-goitre

medicines.

Chlorellin, an antibiotic obtained from Chlorella, Cladophora and

Lyngbya possess anti-viral properties. Charales are useful in destructing

the mosquito larvae. Agar-Agar is used in laxatives. Carrageenan acts as

blood coagulant.

Some blue green algae, such as Anabaena, Nostoc, Aulorisa,

Tolypothrix etc are able to convert atmospheric nitrogen into molecular

nitrogen. Thus they act as nitrogen fixing agents to increase the fertility

of the soil.

PRESENCE OF ALGAE ON WATER BODIES AND THEIR HARMFUL

EFFECTS

Now let us come to the key point of this project ie. harmful effects

of algae. As told already it was really shocking to notice that most of the

water bodies around us are being spoiled due to the growth of algae. In

villages in olden days and even now in most of the rural areas ponds are

considered as the main source of water for various domestic uses. The

villagers keep these ponds clean. Towards the end of the summer the

remaining water in the ponds are pumped out and the bottom and sides

of the ponds are cleaned of all dirty materials, clay and even growing

vegetation. The monsoon rains fill the ponds and the water is used over

the year till next monsoon. As the time goes several under water plants

flourish in the pond and so the algae. Towards the beginning of summer

a green scum starts appearing over the pond water surface – the

Spirogyra. It is noticed that this scum causes some bad smell as well as

bad taste to the water. Hence it is a fact that the water contaminated

with algae becomes unfit for use.

Such growth of Spirogyra can be removed by skimming the floating

scum. But think if the algae grow in plenty to such an extent that it

becomes practically impossible or uneconomical to remove them. There

is no way out than to prevent the growth by continued filtering and

avoiding conditions favorable for the growth.

Harmful algal bloom is one of the severe conditions of spoilage of

water bodies by a type of algae called blue-green algae to which

references have already been made above. It was noticed that the water

of the Sreevaraham and Mithranandapuram temple ponds before

cleaning looked greenish brown and was having severe odor.

Blue-green algae:

Blue-green algae also known as Cyanobacteria or blue-green

bacteria, and Cyanophyta is a phylum of bacteria that obtain their energy

through photosynthesis. The name "Cyanobacteria" comes from the color

of the bacteria.

Blue-green algae can be considered as simple aquatic plants that

exist naturally in marine waters, rivers, lakes and ponds. When certain

conditions are present, such as high nutrient and light levels, these

organisms can reproduce rapidly. This dense growth of algae is called a

bloom. Some of these blooms are harmless, but when the blooming

organisms contain toxins, other noxious chemicals, pathogens or other

impacts to reaction or economic activities it is known as a harmful algal

bloom.

In addition to depleting the oxygen in water, the algae poison the

filter-feeding shellfish such as mussels and clams that consume them.

The shellfish in turn become poisonous to any animal, including humans

that eat them. Potentially fatal outbreaks of shellfish toxicity happen

every year, and people die, along with marine mammals, birds, fish and

higher invertebrates

As per recent news paper reports one of the Bengali mazdoor died

at Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram after eating clams caught from

the Kannanthura beach near Shanghumugham. It was also reported that

the clams became toxic due to “Kadal Kara” the local name for Toxic

Algal Bloom. Sometimes the algae directly release toxins into the

environment.

When the algae that cause toxic blooms are mostly varieties of red

algae, the name red tides is given for the deadly blooms.

Some algal blooms can look like foam or thick slurry. The blooms

can be blue, bright green, brown or red and may look paint floating on

the water. Some blooms may cause only discoloration of the water or

may not affect the appearance of the water.

Certain blue green algae produce toxins that could pose a health

risk to people and animals when they are exposed to them in large

enough quantities. Health effects could occur when surface scums or

water containing high levels of blue green algal toxins are swallowed or

through contact with the skin or when air borne droplets containing

toxins are inhaled while swimming, boating and skiing.

Blue-green algae that form harmful blooms have been known to

produce a wide array of neurotoxins, liver toxins, cell toxins and skin

irritants. Consumption of large amounts of these toxins by animals or

humans can result in muscle cramps, twitching, paralysis, cardiac or

respiratory difficulty, nausea, vomiting and liver failure. Skin irritants,

found in nearly all blue-green algae blooms, can produce symptoms

including skin irritation, rashes and gastrointestinal distress.

It is also reported that the most dominant blue-green algae viz

Microcystis, produces Microcystin, a liver toxin and skin irritant.

Bright green blooms are a result of Cyanobacteria or blue-green

algae such as Microcystis. Blooms may also consist of macroalgal (non-

phytoplanktonic) species. These blooms are recognizable by large blades

of algae that may wash up onto the shoreline

Freshwater algal blooms

On a smaller scale, algae are a pest in the tanks, ponds and lakes

used for fish farming. As in the ocean, algae can deplete the water of

oxygen and cause problems for fish. Algae can also overwhelm plants

and immobile animals, like corals, and clog up equipment. In swimming

pools, gardens, and bird baths algae are little more than unsightly, but in

aquaculture they are often a serious problem

Freshwater algal blooms are the result of an excess of nutrients,

particularly phosphorus. The excess of nutrients may originate from

fertilizers that are applied to land for agricultural or recreational

purposes; these nutrients can then enter watersheds through water

runoff. Excess carbon and nitrogen have also been suspected as causes.

When phosphates are introduced into water systems, higher

concentrations cause increased growth of algae and plants. Algae tend to

grow very quickly under high nutrient availability, but each alga is short-

lived, and the result is a high concentration of dead organic matter which

starts to decay. The decay process consumes dissolved oxygen in the

water, resulting in hypoxic conditions (oxygen depletion). Without

sufficient dissolved oxygen in the water, animals and plants may die off

in large numbers.

Blooms may be observed in freshwater aquariums when fish are

overfed and excess nutrients are not absorbed by plants. These are

generally harmful for fish, and the situation can be corrected by changing

the water in the tank and then reducing the amount of food given.

Algal blooms caused by blue-green algae and spirogyra are not

alike. Some times both are mistaken for each other. A comparison of

both is as given below.

Harmful Algal Bloom : Microcystis Muck : Cladophora or Spirogyra

Blooms tend to stay in water

column

Can wash up on shore in mats

Can produce liver, skin, or nervous Not known to produce toxins

system toxins

Blooms not known to harbor E. coli Mats (on beach and in water) have

contained E. coli

Peak growth often occurs late

summer

Peak growth often occurs early

summer

When blooms die, sink to bottom,

often responsible for

When blooms die, float to surface,

final location

depleted oxygen on bottom depends on wind and water bottom

circulation

Colonial (circular cells) Filamentous (end to end), branched

Grows in response to nutrients,

light

Grows in response to nutrients,

light

Planktonic (passively moves in

water)

Benthic (bottom dwelling)

Microalgae (microscopic cells) Macroalgae (grow up to 3 ft. long)

Other reasons for algal blooms:

Water is still and turbulence is low (lack of mixing)

Weather patterns are stable for a long time

Weather is warm

There is more sunlight

Shallow water bodies which allow more sunlight to pass to under

water

OBJECTIVE

Objective of this project is to have case study on harmful algal

blooms in fresh water ponds. More precisely, to study whether there is

any harmful effect due to the presence of algae and how the excessive

growth of algae has resulted in those ponds. Finally, to suggest some

methods to avoid the algal growth in fresh water ponds from the

knowledge acquired during case studies.

CASE STUDIES

I : Sreevaraham and Mithranandapuram Temple Ponds :

Sreevaraham temple pond is located on the Western side of the

Sreevaraham temple in Trivandrum. The pond has a ring road passing

almost all around except for the eastern side, where the temple is

located. The North, west and Southern sides of the pond are thickly

populated “Agraharams”. According to the residents all around the pond

has become a garbage dump and a breeding place of mosquitoes. It was

noted that the bad smell of water has rendered the living on the banks

much difficult. The Trivandrum Corporation has now took initiatives for

cleaning the pond and reclaiming the banks by constructing new

retaining walls.

Due to the damaged side walls all the waste water from the road

drain, houses around and the storm water simply rushes into the pond.

When we visited the pond almost 90 % of the water has been

pumped out and even then I could see the algal scum floating on the

water. The mud at the bottom of the pond was simply black in color and I

could not stand the bad smell that emerged from the pond. On enquiry

with the locals it was revealed that the residents all around used to drain

their waste water into the side drains of the road which in turn drained

into the pond on several occasions. On analysis of the water sample

collected from the pond, the presence of Spirogyra and Blue-Green algae

was released.

It is understood that the waste water mainly consisted of soap

waste which is a good source of phosphates that has catalyzed the

growth of algae in plenty. The black mud at the bottom is generated from

the sedimentation of storm water and from the sedimentation of dead

algae.

It was told that, during historic periods, the pond had a drain which

constantly drained the water from pond above a particular level. People

used to bath in this pond. No house hold waste was drained in to the

pond. The water had never been spoiled like now. Now the case is

reverse: The heavy load of waste/nutrients and blocked drain has made

the water more concentrated of nutrients suitable for the growth of

algae. The cleaning works initiated by the Corporation authorities are still

going on.

The Mithranandapuram temple pond located just 1 km north of the

Sreevaraham pond, by the side of the West Fort Street (Airport Road). In

contrast to Sreevaraham pond this one is a confined one with less

number of residences around. But the main road to the Airport is lying on

the Northern side. All the waste water flows into the pond during rains,

due to the dilapidated condition of side walls. There is no proper cleaning

and there is no drain even for draining the excess waster. The

Corporation has cleaned this pond and the construction of side walls is

yet to be taken up. But after cleaning the water is now clear and has no

smell or odor.

II : A Village pond by the side of NH-47 at Marutha Road near

Palghat :

When we were returning from Ooty we happened to notice a pond

by the side of the road. We alighted there to have a look at the pond.

Some local people also came around. This pond is located at corner of

large extent of paddy fields. At first, we could not see any water in the

pond. What we could see was only a thick scum of algae. We just

skimmed a portion and could see the greenish brown water under neath.

The locals were saying that they used to take bath in this pond years

back. But due to the construction of NH bye pass the drains have been

blocked. There is no culvert. The excess quantity of fertilizers used in the

paddy fields have drained into this pond. There is no side wall for this

pond. The scum mainly consisted of Spirogyra. It was told that the locals

have urged the Panchayat authorities for cleaning the pond at regular

intervals. The locals also warned us not to venture into the pond as

contact with the water may cause itching in the skin.

III : Pond at Alapuram Children's Park and Boat Club, near

Muttada, Trivandrum :

This pond is located near Muttada. The pond was in a neglected

condition years back. It was told that this pond is once renovated and

side walls we could see was constructed then, about 7 years back. Even

then what we could see at the pond was deep green water. Surprisingly

we could also see children swimming in the pond with any inconvenience

of itching or any such discomfort. We collected samples and even simply

looking at the sample we could see the algae floating in it. The sample

was kept still for some days in ventilated bottles. The algae got

sedimented at the bottom. On analysis, this sample showed the presence

of blue green algae.

It was noticed that this pond does not have any drain facility. So

the rain water and spring water entering the pond is held there itself

making the water concentrated of nutrients making situation favorable

for the algal growth. Sufficient sunlight is also available. How ever the

water in this pond is not potable due to the presence of algae, its smell

and odor.

IV : Guruvayoor temple pond :

On contrast to all the above we could find crystal clear water in this

pond. My father's sister is living near the temple. With the help of uncle

we visited the temple authorities to know how they keep the water clean.

We noticed that lot of people are taking bath in the pond and the pond is

having no drain at all.

The authorities explained that they have installed a filtering plant

by the side of the pond. This was installed about 25 years back. Before

that the water in the pond was green in color like any other temple pond

we could see along the country. The water from the pond is pumped into

the plant where the algae is filtered to a large extent. Then the water is

chlorinated to deodorize and for decolorising. This cleaned water is let

back into the pond through another end. This process keeps the water

almost crystal clear. The authorities also told that if the plant is shut

down for about a week or more the water is seen to turn green.

In addition, the authorities have introduced restriction to the usage

of soap and oil in the pond while bathing. Dumping of garbage is strictly

prohibited. Good side walls prevent entry of either waste water or storm

water during rains.

INFERENCES

Algae is found in almost all water bodies.

Algae thrive best in the presence of Phosphates and Nitrates.

Algae thrive best where good sunlight is available.

Algal blooms render the water bodies unfit for human use.

Proper filtration of suspended algae could keep the water clean.

Toxic algal blooms can cause skin irritation and could also be fatal.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Water is very precious. So we should preserve what ever sources of

water is available to us. We have seen that uncontrolled growth of algae

in fresh water will render it unfit for domestic use. There are other

activities also which contaminate the fresh water sources. How ever we

are at present concerned about controlling algal growth that may

contaminate the water sources.

From the case studies and other readings, a part of which is

discussed in brief in paras above, the following recommendations are put

forth for preserving the fresh water sources.

Inflow of any kind of surface water into the ponds or lakes which is

a source of fresh water must be checked at any cost.

Use of soaps and detergents, which are sources of phosphates,

must be discouraged in the pond.

Drains from paddy fields and other cultivated areas shall not be

allowed to discharge into the fresh water sources such as ponds lakes

etc. This will reduce the inflow of nitrogenous and phospahatic salts into

them.

The ponds shall have facility for constantly draining the excess

water above a particular level. The ponds will have springs from were

water is incoming. This spring water may contain some minerals which

we cannot control effectively. So the overflow drain will help in keeping

the salt/algal concentration to a minimum.

Ponds shall be cleaned at regular intervals preferably by the end of

summer by pumping out the water and removing the mud and other

debris collected at the bottom. Dead or decaying leaves increase the

nutritional value of the water in the pond providing a rich source of

nutrition to algae.

Growing fishes is also a control method. The fishes will consume

most of the floating algal matter thus keeping the water clean.

Growing aquatic plants that can use up pond nutrients will also

reduce the risk of algal blooms.

Chemically treating the pond with algaecide can also help

effectively put an end to algal growth. But the that algaecide can have

negative effect on aquatic life. One should ensure that the pond has

proper filtration systems to remove dead algae and should make sure

that the pond does not have aquatic plants and wildlife, as they can be

severely affected by algaecide.

Beneficial bacterial used on a regular basic can effectively help in

natural algae control on most algae types. In addition, beneficial bacteria

can also help in reducing water order, improving health of fish and in

controlling mud/sludge in ponds.

Having rocks and stones in the pond can aid in the growth of

beneficial bacteria. But such stones have high risk on ponds supposed to

be used as swimming pools.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. WEBSITES : www.wikipedia.org www.eHow.com www.igin.com aquaticpath.umd.edu/toxalg/ www.waterencyclopedia.com › A-Bi www.kdheks.gov/ - United States (Kansas Department of health and environment)

2. BOOKS :

Exploring biology by Sanjay Sharma and Sudhakar Banerjee, Arihant Publications NCERT Biology Text for class XI A text book of biology for XI by Dr. J.P. Sharma, Laxmi Publications