Here comes rock snot

July

The invasive algae is technically called didymo but I prefer its other name: rock snot . . . must be the fourth-grader in me. Anyway, more of it is showing up in parts of the Delaware River, the state Department of Environmental Conservation announced today.

Why it’s bad:

“While didymo does not pose a threat to human health, it can alter stream conditions, choking out many of the organisms that live on the stream bottom, potentially causing a ripple effect up the food chain affecting trout and other fish. Didymo has historically been limited to cold, nutrient-poor, northern waters, but in recent decades has been expanding its range and its tolerance to warmer and more productive streams.

Once introduced to an area, didymo can rapidly spread to nearby streams. Anglers, kayakers, swimmers, canoeists, boaters and jet skiers can all unknowingly spread didymo by transporting the cells on boats, bodies and other gear. There are currently no known methods for controlling or eradicating didymo once it infests a water body.”

Here’s an earlier post with a photo of rock snot, uh, didymo.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008 at 1:50 pm by Mike Risinit.
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One Response to “Here comes rock snot”

guido August 16th, 2008 at 7:36 pm
FK’em! Let ‘em die! They sting and people die!

guido

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