Microcystis
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
What is Microcystis?
Microcystis Aeruginosa is a type of harmful blue-green algae which is also referred to as cyanobacteria. They say that the walls of the bacteria are stained gram positive but the cells appear gram negative. This species is colonial, which means that single cells can join together in groups as colonies which tend to float near the water surface. Colony sizes will vary from a few to hundreds of cells. It is a common bloom-forming algae found primarily in nutrient enriched fresh waters and lower salinity estuaries. Microcystis aeruginosa is one of more than 700 species of algae that may be found in water samples collected and usually blooms in mid to late summer.