Blue-Green Algae

What Is It?

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, are found on land, in water and even in the air. Any place that has water and light can support these organisms. Cyanobacteria range from harmless to highly toxic.  Blue-green algae used as dietary supplements include Synechococcus elongatus, Coccopedia, Spirulina platensis, Aphanizomenon flos-aquae and Cyanidium caldarium.

Cyanobacteria are aquatic and photosynthetic, which means that they live in the water, and can manufacture their own food. Cyanobacteria are the oldest known fossils, more than 3.5 billion years old. The oxygen atmosphere which sustains us was generated by cyanobacteria during the Archaean and Proterozoic Eras. Cyanobacteria have also played critical roles in shaping the course of evolution and ecological change throughout earth's history.