The bright green bloom on Discovery Bay could be toxic, caused by cyanobacteria, described by Kudela as harmful algae producing nasty toxins.
Microcystin, a compound produced by this bacteria, can cause liver damage when ingested. Children are more at risk due to their smaller size.
Dogs face a special risk as they can ingest the toxins by cleaning themselves after getting it on their fur. Location like Discovery Bay provides ideal conditions for these blooms due to lack of water circulation and high nutrients.
Not all algal blooms are dangerous for swimming, but testing is crucial to determine toxin presence. The intensity of blooms can vary annually, with 2022 showing a significant one.
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