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ALGAE BLOOMS ALGAE BLOOM--location unknown Algae Blooms in Damariscotta Lake: by August D. In the summer 2001 there was a large bloom of algae in Damariscotta Lake. Scientists now classify blue-green algae as bacteria even though they are photosynthetic. The scientific literature refers to them as cyanobacteria. Algae blooms are not always toxic, but it is safest to assume that they are dangerous. Algae blooms are very bad for the water, because after the bloom the algae sinks and decomposes at the bottom of the lake. When the algae decomposes it uses up dissolved oxygen. This could cause fish and other marine animals to die.

INVASIVE AQUATIC PLANTS EURASIAN MILFOIL Dan There are 11 invasive aquatic plants in the state of Maine. These plants can choke and clog rivers and lakes until there is nothing left. The invasive plants names are Eurasian Water Milfoil, Variable-leaf Water milfoil, Parrot feather, Water Chestnut, Hydrilla, Fanwort, Curly-leaf Pondweed, European Naiad, Brazilian Elodea, Frogbit and Yellow Floating Heart. Since invasive aquatic plants have the potential for choking lakes, all boats that come from other states need to be checked so they don’t carry any invasive plants that would choke lakes. Maine is the only eastern state that has not found Eurasian Milfoil. It is now illeagle in Maine to transport any aquatic plant on a vehicle, boat, personal watercraft and trailor.

VOLVOX-Pemaquid Cruise June 03 Volvox Where do you think this photograph was taken? Do you think they are a plant or and animal? This diagram shows three distinct Volvox. The three “Fireworks” are plants that live together in groups so they won’t eaten by their predator. This is called a survival technique. This was a sample of water collected by a plankten haul net that was brought to the surface so that students on the Melinda Ann could look at them under projection.

ADDITIONAL VOLVOX This is a clearer image of volvox taken from a microscope at school. The volvox was on a prepared slide and the image was generated by an "intel play" USB microscope using "macam" software. VOLVOX-PREPARED SLIDE

2005 SPRING VISIT Nobleboro eighth graders enjoyed a spring visit from MLCI lake educators with invasive species as the focus. Students "built" Eurasian Water Milfoil and spent time learning about other invasives and the impact they would have on the economic and recreational value of lakes in Maine.

SHOULD MILFOIL HIT NOBLEBORO? After "building" Eurasian watermilfoil, Nobleboro eighth graders had a dramatic experience. Students analyzed the depth contours of Pemaquid Pond and then, through coloring, noted the possible impact of a milfoil invasion. The assumption was that milfoil would impact all areas of the lake with a depth of 25 feet or less. The first image below shows Pemaquid Pond without any Eurasian milfoil. The second image shows the effects of an invasion. The orange represents the area of the lake that would be impacted by the milfoil. The purple is the area of the lake that would remain uninvaded. Students estimated that 80% or so of the lake would support milfoil. That means that out of the 1,515 acres 1,212 would show an invasion. Students quickly concluded that the impact would indeed be drastic.

Pemaquid Pond before Eurasian watermilfoil

Pemaquid Pond after Eurasian watermilfoil