Control of Algae With Viruses

Abstract

This article discusses studies that demonstrate that the destructive power of the blue‐green algae (BGA) virus could serve as a highly potent and selective algae control, thus making it possible to eliminate the use of the potentially dangerous chemicals that are presently used for the treatment of algae. In laboratory tests, complete lysis of an objectionable growth occurred about seven days after treatment. From an ecologic viewpoint, this degeneration period appears reasonable, as a gradual degeneration of an undesirable algae population presumably affects the stability of the environment to a lesser degree than would the occurrence of a rapid kill.