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September 13, 2007

Algae bloom promotes toxin in Ten Mile River

State officials today advise the public to temporarily avoid recreational activities that include contact with water from the Ten Mile River and a related reservoir and pond because of an algae bloom.

The river starts in Massachusetts and forms the boundary between that state and Rhode Island, along the northern half of East Providence and Seekonk, Mass.

The state Department of Environmental Management said today it had spotted a bright green algae bloom in the Turner Reservoir and that lab tests found high levels of the natually occurring toxin microcystin. The algae can undergo explosive growth under certain conditions, such as continued warm, sunny weather.

Health risks from casual contact with water containing the toxin are low, but people could feel serious health effects if they drank the water. High microcystin levels in water can seriously damage the liver. Symptoms of exposure include stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, fever, muscle and joint pain, skin, eye and throat irritation.

"People should avoid recreational activities, such as swimming or fishing, that involve contact with this water, until water samples are safe," David Gifford, the state health director, said in a statement.

The situation is likely to improve over time, the DEM said, noting that Tuesday's rains flushed some of the algae downstream. The shorter, cooler days ahead should also help kill off the algae and reduce toxins.

-- projo.com staff writer Michael P. McKinney

Posted by Mike McKinney  at 6:06 PM | Permalink

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