For the past decade, Dr. Jean McLain has tackled the environmental challenge of what makes algae in our water bodies suddenly become deadly in the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona. Now, she finally has a clue.
Algae has existed for billions of years. But we know little about why algae suddenly grows out of control and produces dangerous toxins. Climate change, among other factors, only makes these harmful algal blooms more frequent and widespread .
This blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, produces toxins that sicken people, kill animals and wreak havoc on our water treatment systems.
Through water sampling, microbiological analysis and collaboration with local municipalities, Dr. McLain and her graduate student Robert Lynch discovered that something in recycled water (reclaimed water) in the City of Tucson's Sweetwater Wetlands inhibits the growth of toxic algae. This initial discovery could bring us a step closer to understanding and predicting the global issue of harmful algal blooms.
This story was made possible in partnership with the Department of Environmental Science at the University of Arizona.
The research in the story is supported by the UArizona Water Resources Research Center through a grant from the United States Geological Survey Water Resources Research Act Program.
Producer/Photographer/Editor: Sandra Westdahl
Drone Photographer/Second Camera: Cody Sheehy
Sound Recordist: Angel Marquez
Sound Mix: Galen McCaw
Communications: Caroline Mosley