How can you tell the difference between pollen and planktonic algae?
Greetings merrilynmason:
I encountered the puzzling issue of algae or pollen in the Spring of 2012 here in Ohio (remember...the Spring o 2012 was warmer than normal and we had an early Spring). I had many many calls from a 507 acre lake association concerned about blue-green algae.
The concern turned out to be pollen. Pollen is very distinct when placed under the microscope. It has a very durable outer cover that often looks like it has spikes on it. Pollen is very durable and can last in sediments for millions of years.. Crucial in the study of ancient lakes, etc.... also known as Paleolimnology
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pollen_analysishttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PaleolimnologyAttached are two photos:
1) Pollen floating in the dam outlet of a lake
2) A microscopic photo of the pollen...
