Many experts in pool maintenance have devised specific strategies for addressing each type of algae, essentially creating tried-and-true recipes for effective removal. Recently, however, a team of scientists and chemists from one chemical manufacturer conducted targeted research to explore more effective methods of preventing and eliminating the algae commonly found in pools.
This research entailed a comprehensive review of publications on algae research, coupled with the collection of algae samples from various pool environments, as well as test pools in the manufacturer’s research facilities. After gathering these naturally occurring algae samples, they were identified and categorized. Subsequently, a wide variety of experiments were conducted to determine the most effective means of controlling and eliminating each unique sample.
As discussed above, the pool industry typically classifies algae into three broad groups (despite there being 13 major categories of algae). These groupings are established based on a range of characteristics, including the types of chloroplasts present in the algae cells, the sources of nourishment they rely on, the composition of the outer membrane of the algae cell, their capacity for mobility via flagella, and numerous other features. These distinctive characteristics play a pivotal role in determining the best practices for algae prevention and treatment, surpassing the traditional reliance on the colour or location of the algae as the primary classification criteria for pools.
The battle against green algae
The most common type of green algae in pools is called Chlorella sorokiniana. Chlorella sorokiniana is a vibrant green colour and makes up the majority of green algae discovered in the pool samples examined in the study. It is controllable using chlorine and most algaecides commonly integrated into pool care programs (Figure 1).
Interestingly, within the “green” algae samples, a distinct form of algae, known as Scendesmus acutus, was also detected. This type of algae represents an entirely different species of green algae compared to what is typically acknowledged in the industry. Visually, when inspecting a pool, the only apparent distinction is the algae is green, with no observable disparities between the two species unless placed under a microscope. Under the microscope, Chlorella sorokiniana appears round and singular, while Scendesmus acutus, takes on an oval shape and forms long chains of algae cells in groups.
