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Freshwater Green Algae
-28.8662, 151.963
Field Notes
Description:
A species of freshwater green algae spotted in a boggy area on the slopes of Mt. Norman. This algae had a slimy texture, but there was no evidence that I could see to suggest it was a filamentous species. Surface area covered mostly by gas bubbles, and overall consistency was very watery. Perhaps this is an indication it's a bacterial algae, and not a plant? This will be near-impossible to ID, but I will try to narrow down some potential ID candidates. Here's a PDF I found for Girraween, so it's bound to be one of these, surely - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/downloads/girraween_algae_fungi.pdf - not that it helps in any way to ID this spotting, but I does show how many species of algae there are, and how futile it would be to even guess at an ID.
Habitat:
Spotted growing in small boggy areas with accumulated granite soils and leaf litter, on the rocky slopes of Mt. Norman in Girraween National Park. Currently trickling freshwater runoff in some gullies. Sunny aspect, although subjected to extreme conditions - freezing cold (sometimes snow) in winter, and intense heat in summer. The entire area has just undergone massive bushfires so there's a lot of ash and charred debris everywhere. Surrounding vegetation is heath and dry eucalypt forest.
Notes:
Should this be a freshwater blue-green algae: Despite their name, blue-green algae are actually types of bacteria known as Cyanobacteria. Some species have the potential to produce toxins. This cannot be determined by ‘naked eye’ inspection; only a laboratory analysis can verify the potential for toxicity. Blue-green algae (Gloeocapsa atrata) is known to occur in Bald Rock Creek.
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