Blue-Green Algae

Blue-Green Algae

Blue-green Algae (Cyanophytes) are not closely related to other algae but are much closer to Bacteria. They grow as single cells or filaments which may aggregate into colonies. Cyanophytes get their energy from sunlight using photosynthetic pigments of various colours. They are very common with about 2500 known species and they grow all over the world, particularly in fresh water. The thick greenish scum you see on a polluted pond is probably a blue-green alga. Depending on the pigments it contains, a particular species may appear green, brown, yellow, black or red. [CH] {EN}