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lesser celandine.

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The rise of killer algae

Killer algae as we know it today was discovered in a German zoo in 1980.  Scientists believe that the chemicals and ultraviolet light in aquariums caused a genetic mutation in the tropical aquarium plant Caulerpa taxifolia that allowed the plant to develop an impressive hardiness and thrive in a wide range of environments.  Because it was so versatile as a result, a number of aquariums wanted to try this strain of Caulerpa taxifolia out in their exhibits.    But nobody ever intended for it to escape into the wild.  In 1989, the algae was discovered growing in the Mediterranean Sea by French biology professor Alexandre Meinesz.  It was shocking - Caulerpa taxifolia originated in tropical waters, and it shouldn’t have been able to withstand the colder temperatures of the Mediterranean.  As scientists discussed whether or not the plant could be invasive, the “killer algae” strain of Caulerpa taxifolia was on the move.  Growing at a rate of an inch per day and finding new homes wherever fragments took root, it invaded 68 sites around the world, including expanding its reach in the Mediterranean Sea to the coastlines of Croatia, France, Italy, Monaco, Spain, and Tunisia.  

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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How to identify killer algae

Killer algae, like all Caulerpa, have upright fronds, or blades, that grow from a sturdy running vine-like rhizome.  Tiny branches of the rhizome, called rhizoids, grow from the rhizome.  The rhizome and the rhizoids either grow under sand or attach themselves to rocks or other hard, impenetrable surfaces.  

Killer algae itself has branches that are notably flat and fronds that are especially feathery. Fronds of the native strain of Caulerpa can reach 3-15 centimeters long.  Fronds of the invasive strain of Caulerpa can reach 85 centimeters in water as cold as 11 degrees Celcius.

Source: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters

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This is quite a solid summary of the history of killer algae.  Give it a watch!  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vd4rgN6MYtg

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A book recommendation!  Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart.  It’s good for reading all the way through like a novel, as well as for just reading the bits about the plants you want to know more about.  I did much of my research for this blog from this book, and while only a few pages are about killer algae, it’s a fascinating read about all sorts of harmful, deadly, weird, and wicked plants.  And the illustrations give it a very spooky touch.  

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The problem with killer algae

Killer algae is a problem because of how invasive it is and how hard it is for the ecosystems it subjugates to regulate it.  Once it enters a suitable environment (which could range from the Californian coast to a drain pipe), it can grow rapidly and take over the ecosystem with little competition, smothering anything in its range with its thick green fronds.  Killer algae, once it enters an environment, is almost unstoppable.  

Sources:  CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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One thing the hydra from Greek mythology has in common with killer algae: the more you chop it up, the more it grows, and the harder it will be to wipe it out.  

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What does killer algae harm?

This species does not hurt humans, at least not directly.  Instead, it harms all aquatic life that comes into contact with it, especially those in the benthic region of oceans or waterways.  Fish cannot eat it, because it contains a toxin (called caulerpenin) that poisons them, and because of its rapid growth (and the fact that it can grow to be up to ten feet deep), it can easily smother any life on the ocean floor or wherever it manages to settle.  

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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How killer algae spreads

Killer algae mainly spreads when broken off fragments take root on rocks or under sand with its rhizome and rhizoids.  It also spreads by the cells multiplying (being algae, it is single-celled), the leaf-like fronds growing as quickly as half an inch per day.  It can spread extraordinarily rapidly, since it can grow on most surfaces and its toxin caulerpenin keeps anything from eating it (which would help slow it down)

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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Killer algae kind of reminds me of seeing blankets of lesser celandine in the woods.  It looks so beautiful and soft, a pillowy layer of a beautiful green with trees sprouting from it (just like the brilliant green of Caulerpa taxifolia), but it’s awful that it is an invasive species, and that alone entirely negates any beauty in the sight of it.  And unfortunately, like killer algae, lesser celandine is notoriously difficult to get rid of entirely.  

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lesser celandine.

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Where killer algae has been spotted in the Mediterranean Sea and on the coast of California.  

This image is from here: http://www.sfgate.com/science/article/Killer-Algae-Migrates-to-California-Coast-3238615.php

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Where has killer algae been found?

The original kind of Caulerpa taxifolia is native to warm or tropical waters such as the Caribbean, waterways in northern India and east Africa.  Its tougher variant that was used in aquarium exhibits, after escaping into the wild, has been found in the Mediterranean Sea, the waters around Australia, and off of the coast of California.

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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‘Lol invasive plant species is just a way to say ‘weeds’ they’re not bad’

Me:

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Eradication efforts

It is especially hard to put an end to killer algae because even if all of the killer algae in the oceans is removed saved for a one-millimeter piece, that one piece can take root and it can start spreading again, as rapidly as ever.   The algae can be treated with chemicals to kill it, and governments can ban people from entering the Two relatively successful killer algae removal projects occurred in New South Wales, Australia and California.  In California, the algae was immediately covered with a tarp and treated with chlorine before it could spread.  In New South Wales, it was treated with copper sulfate, and all human activity (swimming for both people and their pet dogs, boating, and windsurfing) in the infested areas was banned to keep people from helping killer algae get around.  

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009

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What will we gain from putting an end to killer algae?

Like other invasive species, killer algae overgrows and chokes out native organisms, unbalancing the ecosystem.  But as invasive species go, killer algae is incredibly disruptive.  It has smothered key species in coastal regions, which has hurt the fishing and tourism industries.  If we eradicate the invasive strain of Caulerpa taxifolia, we would allow any key species that have been affected to repopulate, and this would thus improve fishing and tourism.  In addition, getting rid of killer algae would remove it from drainpipes and other human-made structures, so there wouldn’t be any reason to use resources to clean them.  All in all, it is in our best interest to completely eradicate killer algae, for the sake of taking care of the environment as well as improving our quality of life.

Sources: CAN WE STOP “KILLER ALGAE” FROM INVADING FLORIDA? by Charles Jacoby and Linda Walters The Rhode Island Marine & Estuarine Invasive Species Site Wicked Plants, Amy Stewart, 2009