Austin Continues Fight Against Toxic Algae in Lady Bird Lake with Lanthanum-Based Treatment
Austin has rolled up its sleeves once again to battle the scourge of toxic algae on Lady Bird Lake, marking the fourth consecutive year of its clean-up initiative. Crews are set to deploy a grey lanthanum-based clay slurry starting Monday and Tuesday, with a focus on Red Bud Isle, a new research site west of I-35, and the north shore from I-35 to the lagoon behind Festival Beach boat ramp. Austin's government officials are crossing their fingers and hoping to curtail the notorious blue-green algae, a menace to both pets and the ecosystem.
In a continued effort to combat the toxic algae blooms, the city is taking to the lake a bit more ladle in hand than before, determined to scoop out trouble before it stirs up more chaos. According to KXAN, the lanthanum-modified clay aims to starve the algae by binding with phosphorous, a key nutrient it feasts on. This intervention comes at the peak of the summer when algae can turn deadly for unsuspecting canine swimmers and a serious health risk for humans.
While the treatments have seen success in some areas, it's not all clear waters ahead. "We are seeing the lanthanum is present along the north shore. We know it’s there, so there is an effect happening, it's just not to the same magnitude that we’re seeing up river," Brent Bellinger of the Watershed Protection Department told KXAN. It seems the addition of new sediments upstream is muddying the waters, potentially disrupting the treatment's effectiveness.
The Austin American Statesman notes that the city has advised residents to err on the side of caution and treat all algae as if it's toxic. Past encounters with blue-green algae have had deadly outcomes for pets, and with the hottest months of the year upon us, officials are to quickly act to prevent a repeat of such tragedies. Even though the lanthanum-modified bentonite is deemed safe for humans, boaters are urged to steer clear of the treatment barges for their own safety.
As the five-year pilot program steers into its penultimate year, the verdict is still out on the long-term success of this ecological intervention. Reductions in algae growth have been noted, but the battle clearly isn't over. Stay tuned as Austin continues to wade through the green slime, with science as its compass and a cleaner Lady Bird Lake as the promised land.
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