Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Algaecide

Algaecide is a chemical treatment for swimming pools, fish ponds and other 'water features' that kills algae. Algae are very small organisms that grow in water or very damp environments. Algae in pools and ponds can cause the water to become cloudy, and in some cases can form a scum over the surface that blocks the sunlight from the water. Algae is the cause of the peculiar 'red tide' phenomenon, in which the ocean appears to be covered in blood. Usually algae is unsightly, yet it can also be dangerous —- certain kinds of algae give off toxins that can be hazardous to humans, fish and plants.