Specialist cleaner needed for lake algae

The Canoe Lake in Southsea is to be cleaned to remove the algae blooms currently clogging it up – but parts needed to repair the required specialist equipment are stuck in customs.

- by Toby Paine

Responding to concerns about the condition of the Southsea seafront attraction, where algae has spread rapidly during the recent hot weather, Portsmouth City Council has confirmed it is due to be cleaned.

Algae thrive in hot, sunny conditions because higher water temperatures speed up metabolic processes inside algae cells, while increased sunlight boosts photosynthesis.

Excess nutrients, including nitrogen and phosphorus, can also contribute to algal growth.