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 The
above photo was taken on our 2010 trip to Lake Atitlan,
Panajachel. We saw many children bathing in the water while their mothers
did the laundry and collected drinking water. This situation is even more
alarming than two years ago for the health of the local Maya indigenous.
On the same trip we witnessed
men in the water with drums of pollutants, also doing laundry, etc.
(left)
The children and babies have
high incidence of death around the Lake and the incidence is growing due to the
additional problem of the Algae Bloom at Lake Atitlan. We encourage all our
readers to please donate now to help curtail unnecessary death.
Photo
HEART for the Nations 2003
The current bloom of Cyanobacteria Lyngbya Hironymusii on Lake Atitlan has
receded significantly from the November levels, perhaps until next fall. There
are still potentially serious negative health impacts from contact with this
form of Blue-Green algae. People should avoid contact with any water containing
large concentrations of algae. Right now the lake looks clear and people have
generally resumed their activities as was usual before the bloom. At this point
a visitor could come to the lake and leave having no idea of the real problems
that exist.
Photo
HEART for the Nations 2003
A very recent article in
Helo Magazine
by Andrea Julian covers some
of the more human aspects of the bloom along with some local historical
perspective.
The excellent web site
Atitlan Community
has an article by Sidney Eschenbach
titled "Why Lakes are Like Black Holes" which does a very good job explaining
some of the problems too much nutrients entering the lake present and discusses
some of the very needed actions which must begin soon.
There were many cases of severe dermatitis reported around the lake from people
who came in direct contact with the cyanobacteria during attempts to "clean" the
lake. This was during the peak bloom where it had amassed in large quantities,
conditions have improved due to the season.
THE GOOD NEWS is that with cooler weather the bloom is diminishing and tourists
can see a beautiful Lake Atitlan once again! Kayaking on parts of the lake where
no Blue Green algae can be seen should be relatively safe.
Photo HEART for the Nations 2003
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Source:
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/11/30/harmful-algae-bloom-threatens-guatemalas-lake-atitlan.html
Elmer, a Malnourished baby
dropped off at Casa Jackson in 2009
more
MORE
CHILD MORTALITY
Source:
http://www.usnews.com/science/articles/2009/11/30/harmful-algae-bloom-threatens-guatemalas-lake-atitlan.html
Harmful Bloom in Lake Atitlán, Guatemala courtesy of
NASA
Update:
Kara Andrade of
Hablaguate points us to
an article related to this item, in TIME.
There has also been some reporting in
PrensaLibre,
El Periodico
(Spanish language publications in Guatemala) and
The Revue
. Snip from
TIME
piece:
With the future of one of its
major tourist attractions in question, the Guatemalan government has announced
an ambitious multi-part plan to cut sources of phosphorous. It calls for the
construction of 15 sewage-treatment plants, a government-led conversion to
organic farming for 80% of farmers in the lake's watershed during the next three
years, and for educating residents and tourists about the environment. The cost:
about $350 million, a huge expenditure for an impoverished country. "The problem
has been accumulating for years but Guatemala has other expensive problems and,
apparently, this was not a priority," says Margaret Dix, a Universidad Del Valle
scientist who has studied the lake since 1976. "It needs money, input and a
commitment. ... I think it can be restored to a large extent in four or five
years. But it will never be like it was 100 years ago."
http://boingboing.net/2009/11/30/deadly-algae-bloom-t.html
http://www.lakeatitlanhealth.com/
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