Why does the Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae flourish in Klamath Lake?
Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae blue green algae, of which there are many species, require very specific conditions in order to reproduce in significant quantities. The freshwater species Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae grows in abundant quantities (some estimate as many as 200 million pounds per year!) in Klamath Lake for several reasons. The first reason is the trace mineral content of the clear cold water of Klamath Lake. Aphanizomenon Flos-Aquae blue green algae require a rich source of minerals to flourish. Imagine a mineral source more wealthy than an area considered by National Geographic to be the most volcanically active in the world! National Geographic (May 1998, Vol. 198 Num.5) call the region around Klamath Lake, Cascadia, and consider it to be the most active geologic region in the world. The ceaseless movements of the tectonic plates along the West Coast of the United States render the Cascade Mountain region very unstable geologically. The proliferation of volcanoes in this area (no
