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Blue-Green Algae Bloom

Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria. They occur naturally, but if their numbers get too high they can pose health risks to humans and animals.

Blue-green algae blooms form when algae, which are normally found in the water, start to grow very quickly. Blooms can form in warm, slow-moving waters that are rich in nutrients from sources such as fertilizer runoff or septic tank overflows. Blue-green algae blooms need nutrients to survive.

Copyright: Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Resources

Blue-green algae bloom

Copyright: Cheryl Safren

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Department of Microbiology

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