Bacteria have existed from very early in the history of life on Earth. Bacteria fossils discovered in rocks date from at least the Devonian Period (419.2 million to 358.9 million years ago), and there are convincing arguments that bacteria have been present since early Precambrian time, about 3.5 billion years ago. Bacteria were widespread on Earth at least since the latter part of the Paleoproterozoic, roughly 1.8 billion years ago, when oxygen appeared in the atmosphere as a result of the action of the cyanobacteria. Bacteria have thus had plenty of time to adapt to their environments and to have given rise to numerous descendant forms.
Bacteria. (2020). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved from https://school.eb.com.au/levels/middle/article/bacteria/110416#272371.toc
Cyanobacteria are naturally present in lakes and streams, usually in low numbers. However, under suitable environmental conditions, they can form dense blooms. Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms, or CyanoHABs, can discolor water and potentially harm fish and other aquatic organisms. They can also threaten human health and the health of pets that may come in contact with them. Listen in as Bob Bostock sits down with Victor Poretti and Rob Newby from DEP’s Division of Water Monitoring & Standards and Division of Science, Research and Environmental Health as they tell us more about CyanoHABs. To learn more about CyanoHABs, please visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bfbm/C... To report a potential harmful algal bloom, call 1-877-WARNDEP (1-877-927-6337) or use the WARN NJDEP mobile app To learn more about DWM&S’ Bureau of Freshwater and Biological Monitoring, please visit http://www.state.nj.us/dep/wms/bfbm/i... To learn more about the Division of Science, Research & Environmental Health, please visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/dsr/ For Drinking Water information, please visit http://www.nj.gov/dep/watersupply/
