Northeast U.S. Braces for "Rock Snot"

As we first noted in early July, the invasive algae didymo — which has the texture and color of wet green cotton — was discovered in the Connecticut River by a fishing guide (see “Didymo in U.S. Northeast“). It’s appearance in the White River now has anglers even more alarmed, and the concern is that the algae may more adaptable than once thought. “The algae have preferred high-altitude, low-nutrient rivers but now are showing up in other places, raising questions about whether they have mutated and what triggers their growth. New Zealand, Poland, Canada, and northwestern states have been battling didymo and now Arkansas and Tennessee have large populations.” Lisa Rathke of the Associated Press.