IN NATURE
1. Red Rust is the green algae: Cephaleuros. It is parasitic on important economic plants of the tropics and subtropics such as tea, coffee, mango and guava.
2. There was an incident of red rain in Kerala, India that was created by Trentepohlia, which is a type of green algae with a strong orange color that lives mostly on tree trunks. In Rotorua, New Zealand, plants and trees exposed to thermal activity contain this alga.
3. Watermelon snow is snow that has a reddish color, with a scent similar to watermelon. Watermelon snow is caused by the presence of Chlamydomonas nivalis, a species of green algae.
4. Fish farms, lakes, irrigation ditches and rice fields in New Zealand, have been ravaged by Hydrodictyon. It is known as Water Net, because it forms a netlike hollow sack.
5. Phaeophyceae, a type of brown algae known as kelp, grows in underwater “forests” in shallow oceans.
6. “Red tide” is a natural phenomenon now known as a “harmful algal bloom (HAB)”. The term “red tide” is being phased out because they aren’t always red and they are not related to tides.
7. Noctiluca scintillans, commonly known as the Sea Sparkle, is a species of dinoflagellate, a type of algae that exhibits bioluminescence. They fire up into a fluorescent sparkle when disturbed, which give them the popular names “Sea Ghost” or “Fire of Sea”.
8. Hematodinium perezi, a species of algae, is an internal dinoflagellate parasite that infects blue crabs and causes bitter crab disease. They are economically damaging to commercial crab fisheries.
9. Lichens are composite organisms consisting of a symbiotic association of a fungus with a photosynthetic partner, usually either a green alga (commonly Trebouxia) or cyanobacterium (commonly Nostoc).
10. Endosymbiont algae in the Stony Corals are described by the term zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae belong almost entirely to the genus Symbiodinium. The loss of Symbiodinium from the host is known as coral bleaching, a condition which unless corrected leads to the deterioration and loss of the reef.
11. Green Algae live close to the surface of some sponges. The alga is thus protected from predators; the sponge is provided with oxygen and sugars, which can account for 50 to 80% of sponge growth.
12. Microscopic forms of algae live suspended in the water column (phytoplankton) provide the food base for most marine food chains.
13. A species of green algae, Oophila amblystomatis, colonizes the spotted salamander’s (A. maculatum) eggs. The algae most likely utilizes carbon dioxide and ammonia produced by the developing salamander embryos, and may in turn provide the embryos with oxygen, creating a symbiotic relationship.
IN FOOD
13. Mekong Weed is Cladophara, a type of green algae, which are commonly eaten as a delicacy in Laos.
14. “Sea Lettuces” are Ulva lactuca, a type of green algae. It is sometimes known as “Green Laver”. It’s eaten mostly in Scotland, Japan and Korea.
15. Chlorella is a type of green algae, which has been looked at as a “super food”. It never caught on, but was widely used in traditional Chinese medicine.
16. Paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) occurs from eating bivalve mollusks (such as mussels, clams, oysters and scallops), which accumulate toxins produced by microscopic algae.
17. Sea grapes are a type of green algae, Caulerpa lentillifera, also known as green caviar or “lato” in the Philippines. It has a soft, succulent texture and is eaten in the Philippines, Okinawa and in Indonesian Cuisine.
18. Ogonori is a type of red algae, Gracilaria, eaten in Japan. In the Philippines it is called gulaman or guraman.
19. Dulse is a type of red algae, Palmaria palmate, which is a well-known snack food. In Iceland it’s known as söl.
20. Amanori is a type of red algae, Porphyra, eaten in Japan. It’s used mostly as a wrap in sushi or gimbap as it’s called in Korea.
21. The kanten diet was a trendy diet in Japan using agar-agar, a gelatinous substance derived from some species of red algae, primarily Gelidium Amansii. Once ingested, kanten triples in size and absorbs water resulting in the consumer feeling more full.
22. Carrageenans are derived from certain types of red algae, including Chondrus crispus. They provide a wide range of gelling and thickening effects. It is commonly used in milk and dairy products, processed meats, gelatin desserts, pie fillings and syrups and much more.
23. Irish moss is a food product made from two types of red algae: Chondrus crispus and Mastocarpus stellatus. It is used in Ireland and Scotland for brewing beer and for a drink reputed to ward off colds and flu.
24. Purple laver is the name given to multiple red algae including Porphyra laciniata, Porphyra umbilicalis, Porphyra dioica and Porphyra purpurea. It tends to be a brownish color, but boils down to a dark green pulp when prepared.
25. Laverbread is a traditional Welsh delicacy, where purple or green laver is boiled for several hours then minced or pureed. It is often served with oatmeal.
26. Sodium Alginates are an extract from certain types of brown algae, mostly kelp. They are used to produce heat-stable gels and to generate viscosity in a variety of fabricated foods. You’ll find them in salad dressings, syrups, puddings, icings, pie fillings and more.
27. Kombu is a japanese food from the brown alga species: Saccharina japonica. It is called dashima in Korea and haidai in China. It is used in many ways: to flavor broths, as a garnish, as a vegetable, and as a wrapper.
28. Arame is a species of Brown Algae, Eisenia bicyclis, used in Japanese cuisine as a garnish or a vegetable.
29. Callophyllis variegata is a type of red algae known as Carola when eaten in South America.
30. Alaria esculenta is another edible seaweed, known as dabberlocks or badderlocks in Greenland, Iceland, Scotland and Ireland.
31. Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a brown algae, is used as an additive and flavoring in Europe.
32. In Chilean Cuisine, the Durvillaea antarctica (a brown algae) is called cochayuyo. They call the stem and holdfast “hulpe” and use it for different recipes, like salads and stews.
33. Hijiki or hiziki is the name given Sargassum fusiforme, a type of brown algae. It is a traditional food in Japan known to be rich in dietary fiber and essential minerals such as calcium, iron and magnesium. It has been used in United Kingdom and North America as well, although recent studies have shown that it contains potentially toxic quantities of inorganic arsenic.
34. Gracilaria is a type of brown algae known as Ogonori, which is eaten in Japan, Southeast Asia, Hawaii, and the Caribbean. It is used in the Hawaiian dish: Poke.
35. Iceland moss is a lichen, Cetraria islandica. It is used in place of starch in some preparations of cocoa. It was widely used in breads and soups, but now is only occasionally used in making traditional Icelandic dishes.
36. Reindeer lichen, Cladonia rangiferina, is a light-colored, fruticose lichen. Reindeer lichen is an important food for reindeer (caribou). It can also be used in the making of akvavit or aquavit, a traditional spirit produced in Scandinavia. The Dena’ina, an Alaskan Native people, eats it.
37. Umbilicaria esculenta is a lichen found in East Asia. It is edible when properly prepared and is called Iwatake in Japan and seogi in Korea.
38. Astaxanthin is found in microalgae, which are an important source of food for salmon and shellfish. It provides the red color of salmon meat and cooked shellfish. It is used as a food coloring E161j, but is only used for animal and fish food in the United States.
IN HEALTH
39. Spirulina is a nutritional supplement made primarily from two species of cyanobacteria: Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. It is said to have antioxidant properties, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, protect against hay fever and multiple other things.
40. Corallina, a type of red algae, is being studied for use in bone-replacement therapy.
41. Alginate, derived from brown algae, is used in impression making in dentistry and prosthetics.
42. Sodium alginate is a gum extracted from brown algae. It is a good chelator for pulling radioactive toxins from the body.
43. In 2010, researchers at the University of Newcastle found that alginate was better at preventing fat absorption than most over-the-counter slimming treatments.
44. Kombu is said to help convert indigestible sugars in beans, so when used in cooking them, it’ll reduce flatulence.
45. Ventol, a phlorotannin-rich natural agent derived from Ecklonia cava (a brown algae), is used as an herbal remedy that is said to have antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties.
46. Bladder wrack (Fucus vesiculosus), a brown algae, is used in nutritional supplements, which are supposed to help women with abnormal menstrual cycling patterns and/or menstrual-related disease histories. It’s referred to as “kelp” although it is not actually kelp.
47. Fucoidan is a sulfated polysaccharide found mainly in various species of brown algae, which is used as an ingredient in some dietary supplement products. It is said to treat cancers.
48. Thalassotherapy is a form of therapy using seawater, which has unproven medical benefits. There are various methods, but one uses an algae paste made from the brown algae: Fucus serratus, known as toothed wrack.
49. Dunaliella salina is a type of green algae found in sea salt fields. Known for its anti-oxidant activity, because of its ability to create large amount of carotenoids, it is used in dietary supplements.
50. Iceland moss is a lichen, Cetraria islandica, that associates with green algae as photobionts. It has been used for centuries to treat all kinds of chest ailments.
51. Reindeer lichen, Cladonia rangiferina, is a light-colored, fruticose lichen. It is used as a traditional remedy for removal of kidney stones by the Monpa; in the alpine regions of the West Kameng district of Eastern Himalaya.
52. Polysaccharides from the lichen, Umbilicaria esculenta, have been shown to inhibit replication of the HIV virus in laboratory tests.
53. The pH indicator litmus is a dye extracted from the lichen genus Rocella tinctoria. It is used officially as a test for acids and alkalis. Acids impart a red color to blue Litmus and alkaloids cause reddened Litmus to return to its original blue. It may be used in solid or liquid forms as well as on the papers.
IN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY APPLICATIONS
54. Multiple algae are being studied for bio-fuel. They include the green algae: Botryococcus braunii, Chlorella and Dunaliella tertiolecta; the red algae: Garcilaria and Pleurochrysis carterae.; the brown algae: Sargassum; and Cyanobacteria.
55. With concern over global warming, new methods for the thorough and efficient capture of CO2 are being sought out. The carbon dioxide that a carbon-fuel burning plant produces can feed into open or closed algae systems, fixing the CO2 and accelerating algae growth. Untreated sewage can supply additional nutrients, thus turning two pollutants into valuable commodities.
56. Algae cultivation is under study for uranium/plutonium sequestration and purifying fertilizer runoff.
57. It is said that using algae to produce bio-diesel may be the only viable method by which to produce enough automotive fuel to replace current world diesel usage.
58. Butanol can be made entirely with solar energy, from algae (called Solalgal Fuel) or diatoms. In most gasoline engines, butanol can be used in place of gasoline with no modifications. DuPont and BP plan to make biobutanol the first product of their joint effort to develop, produce, and market next-generation biofuels.
59. Algenol is a company developing a process to produce ethanol directly from algae rather than killing or harvesting them.
60. Aquaflow Bionomic Corporation of New Zealand announced that it has produced its first sample of homegrown bio-diesel fuel with algae sourced from local sewerage ponds.
61. Sapphire Energy is a San Diego-based energy company that produces oil made from algae. It’s being called “green crude,” a liquid that has the same composition as crude oil, and is therefore compatible with existing refineries.
IN YOUR SWIMMING POOL
62. The spores of fresh-water Algae are dispersed by running water and wind, as well as by living carriers, making your pool a common place to find them.
63. In a Survey of Swimming Pool Algae of the Phoenix, Arizona, Metropolitan Area, published in the Journal of Phycology in 1978, they found the most common algae was Pleurochloris pyrenoidosa, in the Xanthophyceae class (Yellow-Green Algae), occurring in 67% of the pools sampled.
64. Xanthophytes are in pool vernacular “Mustard Algae”. It can be easily brushed off the sides of the pool.
65. The most varieties found in the survey were cyanobacteria, no longer considered algae. The species were Calothrix braunii, Calothrix elenkinii, Lyngbya, Nostoc punctiforme, Oscillatoria fremyii, Oscillatoria, Phormidium ambiguum, Phormidium angustissimum, Phormidium foveolarum, Phormidium minnedotense, Phormidium, Plectonema notatum, Plectonema, and Pleurocapsa.
66. Cyanobacteria attaches itself firmly to the pool walls in often visible black spots. They’re therefore in pool vernacular called “Black Algae”.
67. The least found algae in the survey, only 5% of swimming pools, were Chlorophyta or Green Algae. The species they found were all free-floating, but were also found on the surface of cyanobacteria or xanthophytes. The species they found were Chlamydomonas globosa, Chlamydomonas, Diogenes bacillaris, Oocystis gloeocystiformis, Oocystis pusilla, Oocystis, and Roya obtuse.
68. They also found a diatom: Nitzschia, which were firmly attached to the pool walls.
69. “Pink Algae” is sometimes found in swimming pools, it is actually a methylobacterium.
70. Polymeric Algaecides or Polymers contain a positive charge, which is attracted to the negative charge of algae. The drawback is that polymers also attach to dirt and other debris in your above ground pool, thus diluting the strength. Because of how it works, it is best used for green algae since it is free-floating. It is fairly ineffective on cyanobacteria and xanthophytes since grow on the walls.
71. Sodium trichloro-s-triazinetrione and trichloroisocyanuric acid are two types of a chemical nicknamed “Trichlor”, which is a stabilized chlorine donor. It is called trichlor because there are three atoms of chlorine bonded to the nitrogens on the molecule. The compound is a disinfectant, algicide and bactericide. It is effective in killing all algae.
72. Algaedyn is an algicide with silver as its active ingredient. It is most effective on bacterium, therefore “Pink Algae” and “Black Algae”.
73. Benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride and ADBAC is an algaecide. In testing it was found that Oocystis, a type of green algae found in pools, was resistant to it.
74. Quaternary Ammonium Cations or “quats” are an algicide. It is a surfactant, which lowers the surface tension of the water and “wet” algae cell walls. They are most often used as a preventative measure and are not recommended in hard water. If added in excess, it will cause foaming on the pool surface.
75. Triethanolamine, often abbreviated as TEA, is an algicide as a complex copper compound. It is a surfactant, like quats. In studies its effectiveness has been questionable. It is also copper that when oxidized by chlorine that turns the pool water and swimmer’s hair green.
IN AQUARIUMS
76. Gravel or Silica Algae is the aquarium term for types of diatoms that are brown and common to new tanks and grow often in the sand. It is wiped away easily with a sponge. Silica sand feeds these algae, which is why they are referred to as “gravel algae”, however using gravel is actually a way to avoid this algae.
77. Cyanobacteria can grow in your aquarium as well. It is a photosynthetic bacterium and therefore thrives in sunlight. It appears blue-green and is often referred to as slime or smear algae in the aquarium vernacular. A well-filtered tank shouldn’t have too many problems with it, but if it is a problem you may need to treat your water to remove phosphates from it.
78. “Green spot algae” is a normal alga to have in your aquarium. It is perfectly fine and expected to have a small amount of green algae. If you have an excessive amount you must remove them by hand.
79. Hair Algae or Beard Algae are aquarium terms for a species of red algae, Audouinella. It grows mostly on plants in your aquarium. It grows in dense patches of fine strands resembling a beard. It is eaten by only a few algae-eaters: mostly the Florida Flag Fish and the Siamese Algae Eater. If you’d like to remove it without the use of an algae-eater the best solution is to bleach the affected plant.
80. Green Algae can grow in your aquarium as well. It is a free-floating alga and therefore will turn your aquarium water green. Just like in pools a well-filtered aquarium shouldn’t have an issue with these algae. You should be able to remove it, therefore, with a diatomic filter.
81. An algae scrubber is a water-filtering device, which uses light to grow algae. In this process, undesirable chemicals are removed from the water. These are used in aquariums and ponds.
82. Chaetomorpha is a type of green algae commonly used in saltwater aquariums for removal of nitrates.
83. Algae may become an issue in aquariums when you have a lighting issue, having old food decomposing, or bad filtration.
84. Ramshorn snails are bred for aquariums. They normally eat algae, fish food and dead fish. They will help to keep algae from becoming an issue in your tank. They are known, however, to breed like mad and could overrun your tank.
85. Crossocheilus langei is called the red algae eater, although they’re often sold as the “Siamese Algae Eater”. Unlike other aquarium algae eater fishes, the red algae eater eats red algae (Audouinella). The fish, however, are opportunistic feeders and will eat pellets and most other food.
86. The Chinese algae eater, Gyrinocheilus aymonieri, is sometimes kept in aquaria to control algae. It has a reputation for becoming increasingly jealous of its territory and can be aggressive to other fish. It has also been known to switch to eating only fish food as it matures and will sometimes eat smaller fish.
87. The flagfish or American flagfish, Jordanella floridae, is a killifish native to Florida that is occasionally found in fish stores. It received its name because the male fish resembles the American flag. They eat red algae (Audouinella) and they may also eat plants in a planted aquarium.
88. Caridina multidentata is a species of shrimp found in Japan and parts of Korea and Taiwan. They are usually used in an aquarium because they feed primarily on algae, thus cleaning the aquarium if in large numbers.
89. Rabbitfishes or spinefoots are perciform fishes in the family Siganidae. They are a saltwater fish that eat most algae, including cyanobacteria, diatoms, and red algae.
90. Surgeon fish or tangs are also known for their appetite for algae since they normally live near coral reefs.
91. Sea Urchins live in saltwater and move slowly, eating mostly algae.
92. Ampullariidae, common name the apple snails, is a family of large freshwater snails that have become a popular aquarium pet. They are an algae eater, but they will sometimes eat brine shrimps and other frozen foods, or dead fish and insects.
93. Bushynose or Bristlenose plecos are often kept by aquarists, as they are dutiful algae-eaters and smaller in adult size than the common plecos usually seen in pet shops. They are hardy animals, tolerant to a wide range of water conditions, breeding easily in captivity, and compatible with most other freshwater fish.
94. “Common Pelcos” or “Common Algae Suckers” is what many aquariums call Hypostomus plecostomus, Hypostomus punctatus, Pterygoplichthys multiradiatus, and Pterygoplichthys pardalis. and Hypostomus plecostomus. They are large algae eaters and are extremely popular in aquaria for their ability to clean tanks by eating algae growth and dead fish.
IN OTHER USES
95. Agar, derived from types of red algae, is used to provide a solid surface-containing medium for the growth of bacteria and fungi in microbiology.
96. The word “kelp” was closely associated with seaweeds that could be burned to obtain soda ash. The soda ash can be used in soap and glass production.
97. They use the expression “remojar el cochayuyo” in Chile as a sexual reference. It literally means, “to soak the sea-weed”, because that’s how they prepare it to be eaten.
98. Ascophyllum nodosum is a brown algae harvested for use in alginates, fertilizers and for seaweed meal for animal consumption. It is also frequently used as packaging material for baitworm and lobster shipments from New England.
99. Native Americans harvested a kind of brown algae, Fucus gardneri, nicknamed “Indian pop corn”. When the airbubbles are popped, it secretes a moisturizing lotion.
100. Sodium alginate is a gum extracted from brown algae. It is largely used in textile printing.
101. Algae are found in the fossil record dating back to approximately 3 billion years in the Precambrian.
101 Things, above ground pool care, algae