Gross, What is that Slimy Stuff?

Green and stringy, on the surface when filled with gases from photosynthesis or covering the bottom after a rain event or cloudy days, this intimidating slimy and stringy mess is filamentous algae (mainly Spirogyra). It is one of the simplest forms of plant life in the aquatic world. It is ubiquitous, being found in essentially every natural lake in Michigan and the world beyond. Filamentous algae will “bloom” when solar radiation, temperature and nutrients allow. It is a very basic and predictable aquatic equation: heat + sunlight + nutrients (phosphorus) = algal bloom. No big deal until it comes to our expectations. To the vast majority of lake participants, these algal blooms are unsightly,
restricting and just plain freaky. To us as biologists, they signal an over abundance of available nutrients.