Facts and contacts
Lyngbya Facts18 November 2000
Scientific and common names
The scientific name of the blue-green algae is Lyngbya majuscula, but
it is also known by common names such as Mermaid Hair, Stinging Limu and Fire
Weed - a name that has caused some confusion in the wider community. Fireweed
was the name first given to Lyngbya by the Fraser Island community due
to the similar contact symptoms associated with these two organisms. However,
fireweed is a small hydroid with stinging cells, commonly found in the waters
of south-east Queensland.
Basic features
Lyngbya is a toxic marine cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It grows
attached to seagrass, sea weed, and rocks in clumps or mats of fine, dark cotton
wool-like strands 10 to 30cm long. Through the accumulation of gas bubbles mats
can rise to the surface to form large floating mats. Floating Lyngbya
has washed up on some beaches, often mixed with seagrass. Generally fish do
not swim in areas affected by Lyngbya and tend to leave these areas to
find waters which are not affected. The rabbit fish is one exception to this
and is often found in large numbers where Lyngbya is present.
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|
A detached piece of Lyngbya. Picture courtesy of
the Marine Botany Group, University of Queensland
|
Causes
Scientists are currently investigating the causes of Lyngbya blooms.
While temperature, light and salinity are factors that contribute to the blooms,
other triggers being investigated are iron, organic matter and phosphorus. (See
Science Update).
Once the causes of Lyngbya blooms are determined ways of preventing its
outbreak in future will be implemented.
What's being done
The Environmental Protection Agency has established a Lyngbya Steering
Committee to identify causes and solutions to eliminate Lyngbya from
our coastal waters.
Queensland Parks and Wildlife Officers are constantly monitoring the blooms
and updates will be provided on the Healthy Waterways website at monitoring
updates
Local councils are inspecting beaches and a contingency plan has been developed
to address beach clean ups and public awareness.
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|
Lyngbya from the sea floor. Picture courtesy of
the Marine Botany Group, University of Queensland.
|
Health advice
Lyngbya is a contact irritant that can produce skin and eye irritation
following direct contact. In severe cases, affected skin may blister and peel
off. Lyngbya has the potential to irritate any part of the body with which it
comes into contact. Thus, inhalation or ingestion of Lyngbya also may
cause irritation to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts respectively.
The severity of irritation will depend usually on the level of exposure.
People who have come into contact with Lyngbya may complain of a stinging,
burning or itching sensation within minutes to hours after being exposed. Affected
areas may appear red and swollen, and small blisters may form. Reddening and
swelling of the conjunctiva of the eye and the mucous membrane of the nose may
also occur if those parts of the body have direct contact with Lyngbya.
In view of its potential to cause severe irritation, people should avoid areas
affected by Lyngbya if at all possible.
If you are unsure whether Lyngbya is affecting coastal foreshores in your area, further information may be obtained from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 3821 9000.
Reported effected areas
During the summer of 1999 to 2000, Lyngbya was reported in:
- the waters of South Pumicestone Passage and north Deception Bay and on Sandstone Point and Red Beach; and
- the coastal waters of west of North Stradbroke Island
Advice to the general public
People should avoid swimming or wading in areas where Lyngbya is growing
or floating in the water and should not have direct contact with material washed
onto the beach. Where Lyngbya has washed onto beaches it is immediately
cleared by local councils. See the Contacts list below to get local beach and
swimming information.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above and have been in an area affected
by the algae, see your doctor.
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| Lyngbya washed up on Godwin Beach, picture courtesy of Peter Oliver |
Contacts
For current coastal waters monitoring information:
- Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service, 3821 9000.
For local information, updates or beach and swimming reports:
North Stradbroke Island:
- Redland Shire Council North Stradbroke Depot: (07) 3409 99343; or
- Redland Shire Council Visitor Centre: (07) 3409 9555
Moreton Bay:
- Moreton Bay Marine Park, (07) 3821 9000
Deception Bay/Bribie Island:
- Bribie Island National Park, (07) 3408 8451
- Caboolture Shire Council Customer Service Centre (07) 5420 0100
Caloundra
- Customer Service, Caloundra City Council: 1300 650 112 (local) or (07) 5420 8200 (outside the local area)
For matters relating to Brisbane City Council:
- Brisbane City Council Call Centre, (07) 3403 8888
Last updated: 28 November 2003
