COURIER L 16 IFE, JUNE 7–13, 2019 PS
Toxic tides
Killer algae returns to Prospect Park
GROSS!: Blue-green algae found near the
western bank of Prospect Park Lake on May
28. Department of Environmental Conservation
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BY COLIN MIXSON
The blue death is back!
Summer has returned to Brooklyn’s
Backyard, and with it comes outdoor
fun, barbecues, and a seasonal bloom of
toxic blue-green algae, which can give
you a rash and kill your dog.
Offi cials with the State Department
of Environmental Conservation have
confi rmed a May 28 sighting of the noxious
goo found fl oating on the western
edge of Prospect Park Lake, and are
currently investigating two additional
reports labeled as “suspicious” on a
new interactive algae map the agency
published online.
This is the sixth-consecutive summer
that the toxic algae, or cyanobacteria,
has bloomed in Prospect Park
Lake, and meadow stewards at the Prospect
Park Alliance are currently in the
process of installing signs around the
water instructing park patrons steer
clear of the hazardous material, and
restrict their pet’s nautical activities
to Dog Beach, which is located near the
Long Meadow section of the park and
remains safe from the toxin.
The blue-green algae lies relatively
dormant in Prospect Park Lake during
most of the year, but the aquatic fl ora
blooms during the summer, appearing
like blue-green paint on the water’s surface
and producing two types of deadly
toxins.
The fi rst wreaks havoc upon the
liver, producing symptoms that include
vomiting, seizures, black feces, and
diarrhea within 24 hours of being ingested,
making the algae a fatal threat
to man’s best friend, who can die within
days of lapping up the lake.
Even more deadly, the algae also excretes
a lethal neurotoxin that yields
immediate symptoms, which include
severe drooling and tearing, muscle
spasms, and tremors. In extreme cases,
animals can die within an hour of ingestion.
Two-legged park patrons — who
are expected to refrain from drinking
lake water with, or without toxic algae
— should take caution not to touch the
stuff, which can cause a nasty rash for
Brooklyn boaters and anglers fi shing
on the lake.
The blue-green algae feeds on phosphates
found in the city’s water supply,
which itself feeds the lake, and the Alliance
was awarded a $390,000 state grant
to fund the installation of two fi ltration
systems designed to prevent the algae’s
favorite food from entering the park.
That was in 2017, and while the allnatural
fi ltration systems has yet to be
installed, Alliance spokeswoman Lucy
Gardner said the organization is on the
cusp of selecting a contractor, which
should have the fi lters up and running
before the season’s out.
Meanwhile, state offi cials are encouraging
locals to use the Department
of Environmental Conservation’s new
algae map to track and report potential
blooms, according to DEC Commissioner
Basil Seggos.