Alberta researchers study rock snot

[CHIMO]

Alberta researchers are planning to study rock snot, algae that are as attractive as their nickname and that are found in many of the province's rivers.

University of Calgary and Parks Canada researchers don't know whether Didymosphenia geminata, also known as didymo, is new to Alberta or why the unsightly algae have spread.

Lee Jackson, a professor of biological sciences at the university, said Tuesday he first noticed rock snot in the Red Deer, Oldman and Bow rivers in 2004.

"What's really different about this is it grows in areas where nutrients are low and water is very clear and very cold. That's different from just about every other type of algae that I'm aware of," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/canada/calgary/story/2009/10/06/calgary-rivers-rock-snot-didymo.html
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 6, 2009 | 8:19 PM MT

[mattvermont]

1. In Vermont

We have just started finding the snot in southern Vermont rivers in the last year or so. A puzzle that has not yet been assembled, but certainly not a good one.

[CHIMO]

3. Interesting

I would think that it would warrant more than a $30,000 expenditure.

I would expect that they would want to find out what conditions are required for growth.

[theoldman]

2. It came from outer space and will take over the world.

That is my theory.

[XemaSab]

4. Not to be confused with snottites