First Phoslock application to lake in Quebec

An article was published at http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/bromont-blue-green-algae-clay-phoslock-1.3727622 outlining a pending application to Lac Bromont in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. It states that Lac Bromont; like other Quebec beaches and lakes; has been closed over the years due to “algal infestations” and that cyanobacteria has been a problem in lakes in Quebec for the past 50 years. The article states that Phoslock was chosen as the preferred option because “tests conducted on other bodies of water that have been treated by Phoslock show no toxicological effects on humans, plants, animals”. “We’re fertilizing our lakes, which is creating these blooms,” said Anne Joncas, president of a local environmental group. Ms Joncas added that “European lakes that first used the clay product in 2006 haven’t seen new algae blooms since”.

Lac (Lake) Bromont is a 48 ha lake located about 85km to the east of Montreal. The lake is a popular recreational destination for both Bromont residents and visitors from surrounding areas. In recent years, the lake has experienced frequent cyanobacterial blooms during the summer and the Lake Stakeholders Association and the Town of Bromont (la Ville de Bromont) were keen to undertake measures to improve water quality in the lake and reduce the incidence and severity of the blooms.

Since the article was published, 174 tonnes of Phoslock were applied to Lac Bromont at the end of October/ early Nov 2017 (see photos of application below). This was undertaken to bind the soluble phosphorus in the lake that had been fuelling cyanobacterial blooms. At the time of this publication water samples had been taken. The lake will be monitored for several years after the application. The application generated considerable media interest and resulted in coverage on national Canadian TV and several newspapers.