Algal blooms continue in Hampton Roads, Aug. 30, 2007

An algal bloom in the Lafayette River, a tributary to the Elizabeth River, began in August. The bloom, which turned the water a reddish-brown color, is visible in the top left portion of the river.

Resources

Virginia Harmful Algal Bloom Task Force, DEQ

Harmful algal blooms,
Virginia Department of Health

Potomac River algal bloom

Algal blooms are occurring in several waters in the Hampton Roads area. Cochlodinium polykrikoides has been identified as the type of algae responsible for these blooms.

This type of algae has caused algal blooms in Virginia waters during previous years. It turns the water a reddish-brown color and is commonly referred to as a "mahogany tide.”

DEQ, the Virginia Department of Health, Old Dominion University, the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Virginia Marine Resources Commission work together to monitor algal blooms.

Elizabeth, Lafayette rivers

An algal bloom that began in early August 2007 on the Elizabeth River, its eastern and western branches, and the Lafayette River continues.

On Friday, Aug. 24, biologists from the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office responded to reports of dead crabs in pots located in the Lafayette River. Water samples taken in the area of the pots contained low oxygen levels, suggesting that the decay of the algae is affecting water quality.

This bloom contains moderate concentrations of Cochlodinium polykrikoides. When biologists with the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office collect water samples during algal blooms, the samples are analyzed by Old Dominion University and the Virginia Institute of Marine Science.

Other waters

Algal blooms have been reported in other waters, including the James River and locations in the Atlantic Ocean near Virginia Beach. The Virginia Department of Health monitors water quality at swimming locations along rivers and the oceanfront.

The basics

Algae are simple rootless plants that grow in sunlit waters. Algal blooms are sudden spurts of algal growth that can affect water quality and indicate the presence of excess nutrients in the water. As algae die and decompose, oxygen in the water decreases, which could make it difficult for fish and other animals to live in the water.

What you can do

If you see an algal bloom in Hampton Roads, please report the location of the bloom to DEQ by calling the DEQ Tidewater Regional Office at (757) 518-2077.

To report a bloom in the Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula, call the DEQ Piedmont Regional Office at (804) 527-5020.

After business hours, please call the Virginia Department of Emergency Management at 800-468-8892.

Health questions

For questions related to human health, swimming and fish consumption, please contact the Virginia Department of Health.