ML201992891 IBC 1586303

Iruzkina

Australian Shovelers in danger – swimming and feeding in a noxious algal bloom. These beautiful Australasian Shoveler ducks (Spatula rhynchotis) are at risk of becoming ill or even dying because their lake has been overwhelmed with a heavy bloom of the toxic blue-green alga (or cyanobacterium), Microcystis aeruginosa. Many types of cyanobacteria are toxic, and grow out of control when waterways are over-enriched with nutrients (eutrophic), particularly phosphorus and to a lesser extent nitrogen. Contaminated stormwater carries much of the nutrient pollution that enters the lake – some of the nutrients are dissolved in the water, but much of it is bound in leaf litter. Elevation: 17 m. Date added to IBC: May 25, 2019.