Green algae

 

The division of green algae is very diverse and large, ranging from unicellular and symbiotic species to algae that is in similar size of floral plants. Their form can be thread, sheet, tube or tree shaped. Peculiarities of green algae is their beautifully green color, where their chlorophyll is of the same character as in vein plants and moss. They live mainly in fresh water, beaches and shallow sea. Their ideal growing area is in places where high nutrient is present where they grow in massive quantities, which can often be a hindrance. The cell wall of green algae are divided into two layers, the inner layer of cellulose and the outer layer of pectin, which is usually made of starch. About 10.000 strains of algae are known which are divided into 450 genies which are divided into three main categories, green algae, coronary algae and yoke algae. In Iceland green algae has been studied since 1890, and in total have been 385 species registered of fresh water - green algae and known green algae growing in land/swamp are 66, so in total of 450 species of green algae is known in Iceland.

 

 

Moss balls (Aegagrophila linnaei)

Moss ball or Marimo is one of three forms of the green algae Aegagropila linnaei and it grows in fresh water. Under specific conditions it grows to a tight balls that can reach up to 15 cm in diameter. This size of Moss balls are just known in two lakes in the world, Lake Mývatn and Lake Akan in Japan. In Japan this Algae is widely known and defined as a “natural phenomenon” and has been a protected species since the fifties. Annually thousands of guests visit Lake Akan to learn about this specific algae and its formation. At the bottom of Lake Mývatn Moss balls grows in three areas, but has in recent years been declining. It is obvious that the growing conditions in the water must be very specific so the algae can thrive. Those conditions are not perfectly known, but it is believed that it is an interplay of various factors such as wave motions, streams and lighting conditions.