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Have you used our Bloomin' Algae app yet? Have you heard about the UKCEH Bloomin' Algae app? Well, if you're a regular visitor to lakes/lochs or rivers, this app could be a handy tool in your pocket. Algal blooms can cause severe health issues in humans and animals. So whether you're a paddleboarder, dog walker, wild swimmer, or simply someone who enjoys our aquatic spaces — the Bloomin' Algae app could help keep you safe. The app allows to you check for any algal blooms reported across the UK (and now released into several other countries) and is available to download on any Android and iOS smartphone or tablet. Confirmed blooms are displayed on an interactive map so users can easily see where and when the bloom has occurred. There's also an option to get involved as a citizen scientist and help us monitor algal blooms by reporting any that you see on your adventures. Not sure what an algal bloom looks like? Not to worry, there's also some guidelines and an image reference library on the app to help you decipher whether it's a bloom or simply some floating plants. Even if you're unsure, snap a quick photo of your suspected bloom and upload to the app, and our algal experts will analyse the photo and make a decision for you, adding to the map and alerting others to any harmful blooms.

On Saturday 17th August 2024, UKCEH took part in the annual Loch Leven Discovery Day event, run by NatureScot. It's a fun-filled, yet informative family day out that brings together science and nature with members of the public. Loch Leven was designated as a National Nature Reserve (NNR) in 1964 when it was realised that it was home to a huge number of wild birds. You can often expect to see breathtaking displays from tens of thousands of wintering wildfowl, and in summer there are regular reports of ospreys hunting for the many fish species that inhabit the loch — the Loch Leven brown trout being a favourite for both ospreys and the local community, and is famed for its particularly tasty flavour throughout the world. Loch Leven is also a hotspot for water sports and dogwalkers, but the loch can be very susceptible to toxic algal blooms in the warmer months that can affect the health of humans and pets alike.

Last year UKCEH brought knowledge and technology together to educate members of the public on toxic algal blooms that occur haphazardly in the water throughout the year, as well as the bugs and beasties, and plants that can be found in and around the loch. Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) are the most common cause of algal blooms in freshwater environments. The name can be misleading as they can present themselves in many colours such as various shades of green, red, brown, yellow and pink. Some species of cyanobacteria can produce toxic byproducts known as cyanotoxins, which can occur in any freshwater environment and can have detrimental health effects for humans and pets. UK dog deaths and water-borne illness reports increase each year we see an increase in these blooms. UKCEH have been monitoring this loch and its algal bloom culprits since the 70's — but information often fails to filter through to the public. Therefore, UKCEH has been working on updating and upgrading its Bloomin' Algae App to make identification and current bloom status across the UK, more readily available for members of the public.

We decided to use technology to our advantage and set up two portable microscopes to magnify all the weird and wonderful creatures and algae that are found in the loch. Sometimes when organisms are so small, people tend not to take any health warnings seriously, and they tend not to fear what they can't see. Therefore, we wanted to take the time to show the public exactly what causes these algal blooms in Loch Leven and illustrate the tiny creatures that live beneath its shores.

Have a look at our pictures for a look at the Discovery Day fun, some Loch Leven macroinvertebrates (beasties), and a close up of the Gloeotrichia bloom that was taking place in Loch Leven that very day!