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Cybernetic mechanisms in lake plankton systems: how to control undersirable algae

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Abstract

TOXIC algal blooms represent a serious nuisance in lakes and ponds. Not only do they form floating scums and impart odours and tastes to the water, but they are also associated with the occurrence of dermatitis in our own species and fatal poisoning in livestock. To reduce algal levels, man resorts to various practices that range from chemical ‘control’ to artificial mixing of the lake1. Most of these have deleterious, if not immediately toxic, effects on the other compartments of the system as well. In this report safer alternatives are presented.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada, K1N 6N5

    FRÉDÉRIC BRIAND & EDWARD MCCAULEY

Authors
  1. FRÉDÉRIC BRIAND
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  2. EDWARD MCCAULEY
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BRIAND, F., MCCAULEY, E. Cybernetic mechanisms in lake plankton systems: how to control undersirable algae. Nature 273, 228–230 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1038/273228a0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/273228a0

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