Bromont to use clay mixture to stave off blue-green algae growth

Bromont environmentalists are hoping a $650,000project will rid a local lake of dreaded blue-green algae.

About 175 tonnes of Phoslock, a product developed in Australia and made of clay and lanthanum, will be dumped into Bromont Lake either this fall or in the spring.

As it sinks to the bottom of the lake, the clay mixture traps phosphorous, the mineral that feeds the algae.

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Phosphorusgets into water in numerous ways including pollution from sewage and septic fields, runoff from agricultural fields, lawn and garden fertilizersand leaking septic tanks.

"We're fertilizing our lakes, which is creating these blooms," said AnneJoncas, president of a local environmental group pushing for the plan.

A familiar problem in Quebec

Algae, also known ascyanobacteria,have been a problem for Quebeclakes for nearly five decades.

The microscopic algaecells come together toform a bloom a green, soupy layer on the water's surface that can sometimes be seen from space.

A number of Quebec beaches and lakes, including Lac Bromont,have beentemporarilyclosedover the yearsbecause of algae infestations.

Algaedeprives the water ofoxygen, which affectsplants and animals, and emits a foul odour. Algae alsohave potential to become toxic, Joncas said.

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Tests conducted on other bodies of water that have been treated by Phoslock show no toxicological effects on humans, plants, animals,Joncas said, adding European lakes that first used the clay productin 2006 haven't seen new algae blooms since.

Quebec's Environment Ministry approved the project, which will be the first time Phoslock is used in Quebec.

The city will contribute $300,000 to the project; organizers have to raise the rest and havemet with provincial and federal politicians as well as local companies to explore their options.