Toxic Algae Outbreak Might Worsen Due To Warming Of Lakes

Researchers through a recently conducted study have found that rise in temperature of lakes all of the world will trigger toxic algae outbreak which will be very harmful for marine ecosystem.

The study co-funded by NASA and the National Science Foundation suggested that increase in lake temperature is projected to increase alga blooms by almost 20%, and toxic algae bloom by 5%.

The warm lake water could also alter the balance of ecosystems and threaten the livelihood of people who depend on fish from the lakes.

The study published this week in Geophysical Research Letters said that the lakes are warming at a rate of 0.61 degrees Fahrenheit each decade.

Study co-author Lars Rudstam, director of the Cornell University Biological Field Station Shackleton Point, said in a statement that Oneida Lake is warming quite faster than the average rate i.e. at a rate of 0.86 degrees per decade.

Researchers since long have found that Oneida Lake is particularly more vulnerable to climate change as compared to any other lake because it is very shallow.

As per data, the Oneida Lake, which is almost 80-square-mile, on an average has a depth of just 22 feet and a maximum depth of 55 feet. Due to this reason it gets more quickly warmed by the air and sun than a deeper lake, said researchers.

Stephanie Hampton, director of Washington State University's Center for Environmental Research and study co-author, said, “Water from rivers and lakes are really supporting our societies worldwide. Not just for drinking water, but energy production, agriculture and manufacturing”.