Environment and Resource Management

Facts and contacts

Lyngbya Facts
18 November 2000

Scientific and common names

The scientific name of the blue-green algae is Lyngbya majuscula, but it is also known by common names such as Mermaid Hair, Stinging Limu and Fire Weed - a name that has caused some confusion in the wider community. Fireweed was the name first given to Lyngbya by the Fraser Island community due to the similar contact symptoms associated with these two organisms. However, fireweed is a small hydroid with stinging cells, commonly found in the waters of south-east Queensland.

Basic features

A piece of Lyngbya
A detached piece of Lyngbya.
Picture courtesy of the Marine Botany Group,
University of Queensland

Lyngbya is a toxic marine cyanobacteria (blue-green algae). It grows attached to seagrass, sea weed, and rocks in clumps or mats of fine, dark cotton wool-like strands 10 to 30cm long. Through the accumulation of gas bubbles mats can rise to the surface to form large floating mats. Floating Lyngbya has washed up on some beaches, often mixed with seagrass. Generally fish do not swim in areas affected by Lyngbya and tend to leave these areas to find waters which are not affected. The rabbit fish is one exception to this and is often found in large numbers where Lyngbya is present.

Causes

Scientists are currently investigating the causes of Lyngbya blooms. While temperature, light and salinity are factors that contribute to the blooms, other triggers being investigated are iron, organic matter and phosphorus. (See Science Update).

Once the causes of Lyngbya blooms are determined ways of preventing its outbreak in future will be implemented.

What's being done

The department has established a Lyngbya Steering Committee to identify causes and solutions to eliminate Lyngbya from our coastal waters.

Queensland Parks and Wildlife Officers are constantly monitoring the blooms and updates will be provided on the Healthy Waterways website at monitoring updates

Local councils are inspecting beaches and a contingency plan has been developed to address beach clean ups and public awareness.

Health advice

Lyngbya from the sea floor
Lyngbya from the sea floor.
Picture courtesy of the Marine Botany Group,
University of Queensland.

Lyngbya is a contact irritant that can produce skin and eye irritation following direct contact. In severe cases, affected skin may blister and peel off. Lyngbya has the potential to irritate any part of the body with which it comes into contact. Thus, inhalation or ingestion of Lyngbya also may cause irritation to the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts respectively. The severity of irritation will depend usually on the level of exposure.

People who have come into contact with Lyngbya may complain of a stinging, burning or itching sensation within minutes to hours after being exposed. Affected areas may appear red and swollen, and small blisters may form. Reddening and swelling of the conjunctiva of the eye and the mucous membrane of the nose may also occur if those parts of the body have direct contact with Lyngbya. In view of its potential to cause severe irritation, people should avoid areas affected by Lyngbya if at all possible.

If you are unsure whether Lyngbya is affecting coastal foreshores in your area, further information may be obtained from Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on 3821 9000.

Reported effected areas
During the summer of 1999 to 2000, Lyngbya was reported in:

Advice to the general public

People should avoid swimming or wading in areas where Lyngbya is growing or floating in the water and should not have direct contact with material washed onto the beach. Where Lyngbya has washed onto beaches it is immediately cleared by local councils. See the Contacts list below to get local beach and swimming information.
If you have any of the symptoms listed above and have been in an area affected by the algae, see your doctor.

Contacts

Lyngbya washed up on Godwin Beach
Lyngbya washed up on Godwin Beach,
picture courtesy of Peter Oliver.

For current coastal waters monitoring information:

For local information, updates or beach and swimming reports:
North Stradbroke Island:

Moreton Bay:

Deception Bay/Bribie Island:

Caloundra

For matters relating to Brisbane City Council:

Last updated: 28 November 2003

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