Is Fungicide Creating Algae?
Perhaps coincidentally, the algae bloom exploded after the first application of Tartan. The algal level dropped towards the end of August, but then went up in September, after the second Tartan application. It turned the lagoons and river to an eerie shade of glowing pea-green and cancelled the Charles River Swim—a racing event that was supposed to commemorate improving conditions of the water. The fungicide application to Ebersol Fields has not been proven to be the direct cause of the algae bloom. “No one knows whether or not there is a link between the use of Tartan and the algae bloom,” Representative Martha M. Waltz of the State House said. Some, however, feel that the government should shoulder some of the responsibility. “The Department of Conservation argues that the fertilizers are organic, but even organic fertilizers contain certain amounts of phosphorus,” said 64-year old activist Marilyn Wellons. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, phosphorus was respons
