When a lot of phosphate gets into the lochs it can lead to unusually high plant growth. The plant-like algae grow particularly fast and algal blooms occur. This prevents light reaching lower levels, using up oxygen levels thus causing a rapid decline in the quality of the water and the health of marine life. The food chain can then be disrupted.
Toxins generated by these algal blooms severely effect fish and other aquatic life. Animals and humans can also react to these toxins if swallowed.
The Lunan Lochs are shallow and easily affected by this form of pollution.

The Problem of Too Much Phosphate nav button
drawing of healthy and clean loch
drawing of sick loch covered with algal bloom
picture of water boatman beetle

The Lunan Catchment is of outstanding conservation interest and a lot of information about the area and its species has been collected over the years. Much of this is available for you to look at on our website www.snh.org.uk

snhSWTsepafwag

Picture credits
Copyright ©:
Laurie Campbell
Lorne Gill / SNH
Sue Scott / SNH

Together we can keep the Lunan Lochs healthy and clean and able to support their own special mix of species including the spectacular Osprey.

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Lunan Lochs Project || How the Lochs Have Changed || Why is Too Much Phosphate.... ||
Wildlife of the Lunan Lochs II How Can We Clean Up the Lochs ? || Map || Bibliography and Further Imformation