State of the Environment

2006

Indicator: IW-29 Blue Green Algae

Data

Incidence of algal alerts in NSW DLWC storages, (% of period October 1995 to August 1998)
Low Medium High Total
17.8 11.4 16.9 46.1

Source: Atech Group Pty Ltd 2000, Cost of algal blooms: Final report, Land and Water Resources Research and Development, Canberra, viewed 14 Nov 2005, http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/publications_pdf/PK000134.pdf.

Victorian waterbodies affected by recorded blooms, 1994-99
Year Town water supply Irrigation Recreation Other (domestic and stock, ornamental, industrial, wastewater) Total
1993-94 7 27 21 3 58
1994-95 9 15 29 2 55
1995-96 4 25 19 1 49
1996-97 18 40 41 2 101
1997-98 16 36 25 6 83
1998-99 21 29 32 10 92

Source: Atech Group Pty Ltd 2000, Cost of algal blooms: Final report, Land and Water Resources Research and Development, Canberra, viewed 14 Nov 2005, http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/publications_pdf/PK000134.pdf.

Total number of Victorian waterbodies affected by recorded blooms, 1994-99

Total number of Victorian waterbodies affected by recorded blooms, 1994-99

Source: Atech Group Pty Ltd 2000, Cost of algal blooms: Final report, Land and Water Resources Research and Development, Canberra, viewed 14 Nov 2005, http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/publications_pdf/PK000134.pdf.

Occurrence of algal blooms in South Australian freshwaters 2001-2005, recorded by SA Water
Location Organism Year Duration
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Torrens Lake Microcystis / Anabaena 2001 X X
Upper Paskeville Reservoir Staurastrum 2001 X
River Murray, Wachtels lagoon, Cobdogla Anabaena 2002 X X X X X X
Lake Alexandrina/Albert Nodularia / Aphanizomenon 2002 X X X X
Torrens Lake Planktothrix 2002 X
Lincoln Gap Reservoir Staurastrum / Gloeocystis 2002 X X X
Little Para Reservoir Microcystis 2002 X
Mt Bold Reservoir Microcystis 2003 X
Little Para Reservoir Microcystis 2003 X
Warren Reservoir Microcystis 2003 X
Lake Alexandrina/Albert Aphanizomenon 2004 X X X
Onkaparinga Summit Storage Anabaena 2004 X
Millbrook Reservoir Microcystis 2004 X
Warren Reservoir Microcystis 2004 X
River Murray Anabaena / Cylindrospermopsis 2005 X
Lake Alexandrina/Albert Nodularia 2005 X X
Torrens Lake Microcystis / Anabaena 2005 X X X X
South Para Reservoir Anabaena 2005 X
Warren Reservoir Microcystis 2005 X

Source: Dr Peter Baker 2006, Unpublished, Manager, Biology Services,Australian Water Quality Centre.

Costs of urban sewage and stormwater that can be attributed to algal blooms
NSW Vic Qld SA WA Total
1. Additional cost of nutrient reduction activities ($m per year)
Sewage treatment/disposal 15.3 5 1.5 0.1 1.7 23.6
Sewerage infill - - - - 40 40
Stormwater management 16.5 2.2 1.1 0.2 - 20
Total 15.3 5 1.5 0.3 41.7 83.6
2. Proportion of costs attributed to algal blooms (%)
Sewage treatment/disposal 75 75 75 75 75 75
Sewerage infill - - - - 50 50
Stormwater management 25 25 25 25 - 25
3. Additional costs attributed to algal blooms ($m per year)
Sewage treatment/disposal 11.5 3.8 1.1 0.1 1.3 17.7
Sewerage infill - - - - 20 20
Stormwater management 4.1 0.6 0.3 0.1 - 5
Total 15.6 4.3 1.4 0.1 21.3 42.7

Source: Atech Group Pty Ltd 2000, Cost of algal blooms: Final report, Land and Water Resources Research and Development, Canberra, viewed 14 Nov 2005, http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/publications_pdf/PK000134.pdf.

Costs of agricultural/industrial wastewater and water protection activities attributed to algal blooms
Total cost of environmental protection* ($m/year) Proportion of costs attributed to algal blooms (%) Additional costs attributed to algal blooms ($m per year)
Agriculture 20.6 40 8.2
Manufacturing 140.1 10 14
Mining 66.7 5 3.3
Utilities 43.8 5 2.2
Services 102.5 5 5.1
Total 373.7 - 32.9

* Total excludes ‘current market' expenditure for all industries other than agriculture.

Source: Atech Group Pty Ltd 2000, Cost of algal blooms: Final report, Land and Water Resources Research and Development, Canberra, viewed 14 Nov 2005, http://www.lwa.gov.au/downloads/publications_pdf/PK000134.pdf.

What the data mean

The data suggest that there has been a slight increase in the incidence of algal bloom at considerable economic cost.

Between 2001 and 2005 SA Water recorded the occurrence of 19 algal blooms in 12 freshwater bodies in South Australia. Most blooms occurred during the summer to autumn months and some lasted several months.

Data Limitations

The economic impact of algal blooms have been estimated but it is more difficult to determine the environmental effects.

Data that might shed light on the reasons for changes in the incidence of algal blooms are not available.

Issues for which this is an indicator and why

Inland Waters - Response of biota - Bacteria and algae 

Number and distribution of algal blooms is a direct indicator of this pressure on freshwater biota.

Other indicators for this issue:

Biodiversity - Species, habitats and ecological communities - Condition of freshwater biodiversity 

Number and distribution of algal blooms is a direct indicator of this pressure on freshwater biota.

Other indicators for this issue:

Further Information

Key

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