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By Tom Howarth
Science Reporter (Nature)
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In a striking display of nature's power, Pyramid Lake in western Nevada has been engulfed by one of the most significant algal blooms seen in recent years.
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, whose reservation encompasses the lake, reported through its Water Quality Program that dense blooms of blue-green algae, scientifically known as cyanobacteria, have proliferated in the lake's waters this October.
Satellite imagery from NASA's Landsat 9, captured on October 8, revealed swirling patterns of blue-green algae across the lake's surface—beautiful to look at but a serious threat to animals and people living in or near the lake.
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The Operational Land Imager-2 aboard the satellite provided a natural-color image that starkly illustrated the extent of the bloom.
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"Blue-green algae are a type of bacteria known as cyanobacteria that naturally occur in lakes, ponds, canals, rivers and reservoirs around the world," Linda May, freshwater ecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, told Newsweek.
"Long spells of dry, warm weather provide the ideal conditions for blooms to flourish, but high levels of plant nutrients such as phosphorus are also essential for the formation of cyanobacterial blooms."
A day before the image was taken, the tribe wrote on Facebook that blooms had begun to form. "The water still looks transparent, but spots are showing increased opacity in changing its condition to bloom," the post said.
In the days that followed, conditions were ripe for the algae to multiply rapidly, quickly taking over much of the lake.
The Paiute Tribe identified the primary culprit behind this autumn's bloom as Nodularia spumigena, a species of cyanobacteria common in warm, brackish water bodies. This nitrogen-fixing organism has been a recurring presence in Pyramid Lake for decades, as documented by both satellite observations and in situ measurements.
Nodularia spumigena is known to produce toxins such as nodularin, which can cause liver damage and other adverse health effects in humans. These toxins can also accumulate in aquatic life.
On October 15, the tribe reported that the bloom was releasing toxins and advised the public to avoid contact with the water.
"The bloom material is breaking down and is releasing the toxin microcystin into the water, which signals the turn towards normal conditions that may take 2-3 weeks to normalize," the tribe said.
Newsweek contacted the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe's Water Quality Program via phone for an update on the ongoing bloom.
"Toxic blooms have caused the deaths of dogs, horses, cattle, birds and fish, while effects on people include skin rashes, eye irritations, vomiting and diarrhea," May said.
Visitors to the lake are being advised to keep pets close and make sure they don't drink the water.
Located about 35 miles northeast of Reno, Nevada, Pyramid Lake is a remnant of the ancient and significantly larger Lake Lahontan, which existed during the last ice age. The lake is primarily fed by the Truckee River and is known for its striking calcium carbonate formations called tufas.
Pyramid Lake also holds significant ecological importance. It is the only remaining habitat for the endangered cui-ui, a large suckerfish species. The lake was also once home to the world record Lahontan cutthroat trout, a 41-pound specimen caught in 1925.
Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about lakes or algal blooms? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.
Update 10/21/24, 1 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Linda May.
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