An unusually large outbreak of toxic algae in the Ross Island lagoon has spread to the Willamette River, troubling scientists who say the cyanobacteria bloom could have lasting effects.
Cyanobacteria blooms in the lagoon have been a fixture of Portland summers over the last decade, with the combination of heat and stagnant water creating optimal conditions for algae, but this year’s outbreak has been atypical.
“These are the worst water quality conditions I’ve ever seen out at the lagoon,” Desirée Tullos, a professor at Oregon State University, said. “I’ve sent these images to these world experts on cyanobacteria, and they are amazed and shocked by it. One of them, his response was ‘Wow, that’s wild.’”…