RE: Sample of Growth from Mesa Turnout, Algae samples from
Magma Turnouts, and from Bouse



1.    The sample of material collected from inside the
tunnel at the Mesa Turnout was examined under the dissecting
and compound microscopes.  The material consisted of strands
of material that looked white to the eye but clear under
magnification.  The strands felt as though they had a glass
or crystalline structure when they were teased apart and
crushed with a needle.  The matrix of strands harbored a
large population of algae including several species of
common diatoms and Microcyctis, a common blue green algae
that in large numbers can cause taste and odor problems.

      I asked the chemical engineer on staff to take a look
at the samples as well.  We then divided the sample and a
small portion was treated with hydrochloric acid.  The
sample quickly dissolved  without leaving any visible
residue.   From his examination and the small test, he
concluded that the material was calcium carbonate
hexahydrate  (CaCO3.6H20).   The hexahydrate form differs
from aragonite, (CaCO3), with a much lower specific gravity
(1.7 vs. 2.9) and the crystals are monoclinic rather than
rhombic.

2.     On May 30, Tim Phillips from the New Magma Irrigation
District asked us to look at some samples of algae that were
forming floating mats in the CAP and then passing through
their turnouts.  Specifically he was concerned that there
was filamentous algae that might contribute to clogging and
trapping other materials that would impede flow.  There were
two samples from New Magma collected on June 3.  The first
sample from New Magma Turnout 1 contained some small clumps
of material (1/4”) that consisted primarily of diatoms and
blue green algae.  The sample from New Magma 3 contained a
three to four inch clump of material.  The clump broke apart
when the sample bottle was shaken.  Again the sample
consisted primarily of diatoms and short filaments of blue
green algae.

       None of the algae present in either sample contained
filaments of the type likely to cause flow problems.
However, several of the blue greens are potential taste and
odor causing organisms.  I do not believe that any of the
New Magma water is used for drinking, but it is possible
that the mats were formed upstream and could be a source of
T&O.

 INSERT  I just received a fax from Gene Michael reporting
that Glendale has experienced a T & O problem this week.  It
may well be connected to the mats referred to above.




       Table1.   Algae species identified from samples
collected June 3 at New Magma Turnouts.

NMT - 1                            NMT - 3

Blue-Greens                        Blue-Greens

Microcystis  - majority of sample  Microcystis -majority of sample
Lyngbya                            Lyngbya
                                   Oscillitoria
                                   Aphanizomenon

Green Algae                        Green Algae

Chlorococcum                       Chlorococcum


Diatoms                            Diatoms

Navicula                           Navicula
Nitzschia                          Nitzschia
Synedra                            Synedra



3.   Jim Garza also brought in a sample from Bouse at the
West End of the CAP.  This algae was a loose clump of large
filaments 2 to 3 inches across.  Under microscopic
examination the large filaments can be seen to actually be
several intertwined uniseriate (one cell thick)  filaments.
The algae itself is Rhizoclonium, an innocuous green algae.
Fish should ready graze Rhizoclonium as soon as they find
it.


Kevin Fitzsimmons


cc.  Tim Phillips, New Magma
      Gene Michael, Glendale
      Posted at Cyanproj Web Site