Algae spread; Toxic bloom infects second lake linked to first site by river.Byline: ALEX HICKEY TOXIC green algae green algae: see algae; Chlorophyta. which has choked a scenic lake appears to have spread along the Afon Seiont to infect another lake in a town park. The lake in Caernarfon Park is covered in a thick green carpet of algae algae (ăl`jē) [plural of Lat. alga=seaweed], a large and diverse group of primarily aquatic plantlike organisms. These organisms were previously classified as a primitive subkingdom of the plant kingdom, the thallophytes (plants that and Gwynedd Council Gwynedd Council (Welsh: Cyngor Gwynedd) is the governing body for the principal area of Gwynedd, one of the subdivisions of Wales. has put up warning signs urging people and pets to avoid the water which can cause sickness, and death in animals. People are also warned not to eat any fish caught in the lake. On Monday, a dead duck was seen half submerged in the green slime and now there are calls for the whole lake to be drained. Caernarfon town councillor Anita Kirk said: "I think they need to drain the lake completely and clean it out. "I am very worried about the effect this algae will have on local wildlife." Former Caernarfon mayor Bobby Haines said: "The lake is like a field, it is so green." That posed a danger for children who could easily fall in and for wildlife, especially the ducks on the lake and the fish in Afon Seiont, he added. Park user Neil Williams from Hendre called on the authorities to clear the lake as a matter of urgency. "My three-year-old daughter walked into the water because she couldn't see the difference between the grass and the lake - thank God I was with her at the time." This latest outbreak is linked to the algal bloom covering Llyn Padarn, Llan-beriswhich is about six miles upstream on the Seiont. In Llanberis, sewage containing detergents has been identified as a "contributory factor" and the council, along with Arfon AM Alun Ffred Jones Alun Ffred Jones (born 1949) is a Welsh politician and member of Plaid Cymru. Jones was the National Assembly for Wales Member for Caernarfon 2003-07 and for the newly created Arfon constituency since the National Assembly for Wales election, 2007. has held talks with Environment Agency Wales Environment Agency Wales is an Assembly Sponsored Public Body. It is that part of the Environment Agency that covers an area corresponding approximately to Wales. The Regional divisions of the Environment Agency are based on the concept of catchment management and administrative and Welsh Water to try to address the concerns of local people. Caernarfon mayor Hywel Roberts wants answers from the authorities on the cause of the outbreak and what can be done to stop it recurring. A council spokeswoman said discussions are taking place between various agencies to try to resolve the problem. The council also suggested that the bloom in the park is linked to the problems at Llyn Padarn. She said: "Following confirmation from the Environment Agency that water samples taken from the lake at Caernarfon Park on July 14 contained blue green algae Anabaena Anabaena Genus of blue-green algae (cyanobacteria). Found as plankton in shallow water and on moist soil, they occur in both solitary and colonial forms and are capable of nitrogen fixation. flos-aquae that was higher than the acceptable threshold level, we immediately placed warning signs along the shore of the lake. "Environment Agency Wales are continuing to monitor the situation closely and the warning signs will remain in place until the council receives confirmation from them that they are satisfied that the algae has dropped to a safe level." welshnews@dailypost.co.uk HOW THE TWO BODIES OF WATER ARE LINKED CAPTION(S): Mayor Hywel Roberts beside the algae-filled lake in Caernarfon Park: he wants answers on how the area became infected with the dangerous bloom Picture: ARWYN ROBERTS |
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