Algae Invades Lake Victoria Shores

Algae invades Lake Victoria shores

KAMPALA, April 3 (Xinhua) — A part of Lake Victoria shoreline at Kitubulu, Entebbe, 30 km south of Kampala, has changed from ordinary light green to a vegetable green,probably due to algae invasion.

Florence Adongo, acting commissioner for Water Resources Management, has said that algae could be the cause. “The algae must have been stimulated by the surroundings,” she added.

“It is of very great concern to us. We need to take immediate mitigation measures. That is why I have called a meeting with National Environment Management Authority (MEMA),” Adongo was quoted by Daily Monitor on Tuesday as saying.

Adongo said laboratory tests are being carried out after she dispatched a team of water quality analysts. It would take five days of intensive work before the results are known.

“We need to find out what is causing it and stops it. It is definitely affecting the water users there,” Adongo said, adding that activities affected include fishing, recreation and water consumption.

“It (water) is not suitable for use in the short term. When the algae come, they compete with water life for oxygen at night. This causes decay. Because of the competition for oxygen, the fish is bound to die. The depletion of oxygen affects the fish,” Adongo said.

She said, however, that pollution from industries can not be ruled out as a cause. The shore is shared by a fish factory and a flower growing industry.

According to experts, algae are very tiny, often microscopic plants or plantlike organisms that live in water or damp areas. They flourish in lakes and ponds with poor water flow, especially during hot seasons.

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