PHILADELPHIA (September 9, 2011) Test results…
PHILADELPHIA (September 9,
2011) – Test
results of water samples taken from the Anacostia River show that a
black substance that has plagued a portion of the river since
mid-August is a rare algal bloom, the U. S. Environmental
Protection Agency announced today.
Initial testing by biologists
from EPA and the Maryland Department of the Environment ruled out
that the discoloration was a petroleum product or other hazardous
substance. EPA also did not identify any apparent stress to fish,
birds or plants from the algal bloom, known as a dinoflagellate, or
more specifically as Gymnodinium.
Biologists determined that
water conditions including temperature and nutrients in the water
likely contributed to the rapid spread of the algae in the river.
Based on recent EPA inspections, at least 75 percent of the bloom
has already dissipated, and EPA expects the recent rains and cooler
temperatures to cause the algae to completely die off.
Biologists said
dinoflagellate blooms are rare in fresh water, such as the
Anacostia River, but are common in estuaries of the Chesapeake Bay
that have higher salt content.
The Washington, D.C.
Department of Environment requested EPA assistance to determine the
nature of the material after the U.S. Coast Guard eliminated oil as
a source. D.C. Department of Environment officials will continue to
monitor the algae in the river.