Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

General Discussion

31j20b3

(77 posts) Tue Jun 23, 2026, 05:29 PM Tuesday

Well I feel rather vindicated... I said the algae problem is likely related to nutrient excess in the water [View all]

that was recovered from the Potomac..cuz you can't grow any plant without nurtrients.

Turns out the genus of algae in the relecting pool is Scenedesmus. snd that it is considered a bio-indicator species of eutrophic (nutrient overloaded) water systems

How about that... a PHD in ecological modelling rom 1988 isn't completely redundant at this point

37 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Well I feel rather vindicated... I said the algae problem is likely related to nutrient excess in the water [View all] 31j20b3 Tuesday OP

Oh you! Smarty pants! Giving expertise to this ALBliberal Tuesday #1

Don't throw your science in Trump's face... lame54 Tuesday #2

.."cast not your pearls before swine".. thomski64 Tuesday #14

As my son says UpInArms Tuesday #3

But the sign specifically says "Do not feed the algae!". TheRickles Tuesday #4

Hahaha SuzyandPuffpuff Tuesday #5

Donny's no-stop verbal diarrhea helps the algae bloom struggle4progress Tuesday #6

If the water was pumped directly from the Potomac, no wonder it has an algae problem. waterwatcher123 Tuesday #7

It's not pumped directly from the Potomac. The Potomac water goes through a treatment facility first chia Tuesday #9

So, are you saying the water is treated to Safe Drinking Water Act standards? waterwatcher123 Tuesday #18

No, I'm not saying that. According to the NYT: chia Tuesday #30

The water is sourced from the tidal basin... reACTIONary Tuesday #22

From the NYT chia Tuesday #31

Thanks! So it's both, depending. reACTIONary Tuesday #33

why not use tap water and chlorine, like my 60 yr old swim pool that's never had algae msongs Tuesday #8

The DC water system coprolite Tuesday #16

Interesting - solving one problem creates another one. waterwatcher123 Tuesday #19

Your pool has never had algae???? LeftInTX Tuesday #32

Agree. I've said that for a week orthoclad Tuesday #10

That water they want to drain is polluted as well with paint. vanlassie Tuesday #28

Algae will find a way! BidenRocks Tuesday #11

... Wednesdays Tuesday #27

Learn something new every day! calimary Tuesday #12

The NY Times says the pool was filled with D.C. municipal water treated with phosphate, which feeds algae. highplainsdem Tuesday #13

Make Algae Grow Again!! thomski64 Tuesday #15

Hey. 1000 posts! progressoid Tuesday #20

I've read that it is sourced... reACTIONary Tuesday #24

I just posted what the NYT reported today. I don't know who has the correct information, or if any info highplainsdem Tuesday #26

It looks like it can be either, depending.... reACTIONary Tuesday #34

That would be a huge amount of treated water orthoclad Tuesday #36

You know the Potomac is saturated with nitrates from fertilizer run off. Golf courses are the worst nitrate polluters. flashman13 Tuesday #17

The water has electrolytes. It's what plants crave. Hassin Bin Sober Tuesday #21

Trump knows more about pools than you do. mercuryblues Tuesday #23

Is it possible the cause of the algae is from LogDog75 Tuesday #25

I had a pool. Algae was 24/7. No ducks. But pollen was likely source. LeftInTX Tuesday #35

I keep thinking about those Pranksters who are planning vanlassie Tuesday #29

Maybe the problem is when the Orange Turd's motocade drove on it LogDog75 Yesterday #37