Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations Red film -- Pollen? Algae? Something else?

Our southern Ohio pond has a thin, brick-red layer on the surface. It dissipates when disturbed and then reforms. I know red algae is rare in fresh water, and so assume it's something else. Pollen counts are double the usual here, mostly grasses, but locally lots of Ailanthus, so I'm thinking pollen, unless of course it's Red Tide; [we won't eat the lobsters until we figure it out ]. Any ideas?

Thanks!

--Rick

Everyone can only guess about its identity until someone sees it using a microscope. Send me about 1 ounce of the water film mixture and I will look at it. Put the water in a tightly capped plastic bottle with about 1/2 teaspoon of Betadine or similar iodine based skin cleanser (any pharmacy) that will preserve the red stuff. Put the bottle in ZipLoc bag and then in a small box and mail it to me. Send me an email for my mailing address.