This is What GREEN ALGAE looks like
Green algae (Chlorophyta) is the most common and abundant form of algae. This group includes plants as well as mobile animals that contain chlorophyll, flagella (whip-like structures used for locomotion) and even eyespots! Green algae thrive where there are elevated nitrogen levels. Excess nitrogen can come from spring runoff due to the import of nitrate-rich water from acid rain and winter field fertilization. It can come from soils that are naturally nitrogen rich, typical for much of central New York and Long Island. It can also come from long-term use of fertilizers. These algal blooms are occasionally associated with taste and odor problems. The green algae tend to
be replaced by blue-green algae in the late summer or early fall in many lakes, particularly those that have high lake productivity.
This is what blue-green algae looks like.
During its peak, a blue-green bloom will look like paint or pea soup. It may even filter down into the water column, rather than stay on the surface. Sometimes cells can clump together, but they will not be picked up easily.
Blue-green algae are not true algae. That is why cells interact with water differently than true algae, almost appearing to be a part of a water.
We call them algae because they are free-floating and grow in aquatic colonies, but in reality, blue-green algae are a type of bacteria. That means you will not be able to identify individual cells or roots, like you can with aquatic plants.
Avoid Both if you can but the Blue-Green is the Bad one.
Your Pets and HABs
Dogs are particularly susceptible to the impacts of harmful algal blooms when they lap up lake water or lick algae covered fur. Sea Grant NY has produced a very helpful brochure with information regarding dogs and HABs: