EFFECTS OF CYANOBACTERIA ON LAKE BLOOMINGTON AND EVERGREEN LAKE

Cyanobacteria are a single celled organism known as a prokaryotic. In water, cyanobacteria cells can either be toxic or non-toxic. The factors that control the reproduction of cyanobacteria are the temperature and nutrients of nitrogen and phosphorus. These microorganisms are located in freshwater systems including ponds, lakes, rivers, and estuaries worldwide. The focus of this study is at Lake Bloomington and Evergreen Lake, located in central Illinois. The two lakes were man-made. We will sample and collect on the lakes to view whether the lakes will need to be treated. The data collection will be done using a Exo Sonde to profile the water column for temperature, conductivity, total algae, and dissolved oxygen. Grab samples are taken for the use of a FlowCam, Flow injection analysis for nitrogen and phosphorus, and chlorophyll analyses. Once the steps above have been completed results will show whether the lakes should be treated or not for cyanobacteria. Treating the lakes will help stop the toxic from spreading harming humans