LLDA warns vs. increased presence of blue-green algae in Laguna Lake during El Niño

An official from Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA) on Friday warned against the increased presence of blue-green algae in Laguna Lake during the El Niño phenomenon.

In a public briefing, LLDA Resource Management and Development Department Manager Jun Paul Mystica said prolonged heat might cause the presence of this organism and might possibly cause fish kill.

“Pag ganitong magtatagal ang ganitong init, baka maaaring magkaroon tayo ng blue green algae… 'yun po ang isang problema kung magiging prolonged ang El Niño,” he said.

He explained that the decomposing process of blue-green algae might cause depletion of oxygen in Laguna Lake and dissolved oxygen should be introduced to the bodies of waters to prevent fish kills.

Currently, Mystica said initial indicators showed that blue-green algae is not present yet in Laguna Lake.

Water treatment facilities would also face a “costly and tedious” process of filtering water due to the presence of blue-green algae.

With the presence of this organism, he said a backwashing process should be done so the water can be distributed to households.

“Kailangan i-treat mabuti [ang tubig] bago i-distribute sa mga household,” he said.

Further, Mystica said the decomposition of blue-green algae might also cause respiratory illness to individuals near Laguna Lake.

To prevent this from happening, he said the LLDA will deploy paddle wheel aerators which will introduce dissolved oxygen to the bodies of water.

Right now, the LLDA is at the procurement stage of 173 units of solar-powered aerators which will be distributed to different areas affected by the blue-green algae.

Apart from this, Mystica said they are working with the Hungarian government to install automatic sensors which will enable them to monitor the presence of this organism in Laguna lakes real time.

At present, LLDA is conducting a monthly water sampling in Laguna Lake to monitor the presence of blue-green algae.

Meanwhile, Mystica said the water level in Laguna Lake is still at the normal level. He assured the public that the LLDA can monitor the increase or decrease of water level in Laguna Lake. —KBK, GMA Integrated News