Black spores/ash on surface of pool water

[Antneye]

I have noticed what I thought was black ash on the surface of my pool. I thought it was ash because it occurred the day after we had a major windstorm and I had left our fire pit uncovered. My assumption was that ash had been blown into the pool. However it has been 3 or 4 weeks and I continue to see it even after thinking I had skimmed it all. I do not see it on the walls of the pool, just on the water surface. Anyone have any idea what this might be? Could it possible be Black Algae? We are in the cold weather season so I would not expect it to be algae but I’m out of guesses. Recommendations on how I should treat this?

 

[ajw22]

Black algae does not sit on the water surface.

Black Algae

This guide provides a step by step procedure for eliminating black algae in your concrete or gunite pool. Read full post here.

www.troublefreepool.com

You have something blowing into your pool.

 

[Antneye]

Thanks. I have no clue what it could possibly be. I do live on the edge of a heavyily sided area so I guess it could be coming in from the woods. My CC is about 0.1 after being 0 for a while so I wondered if that meant anything. I’m still fairly new at this and don’t want to create a nightmare for myself.

 

[ajw22]

You need to capture some and examine it closely.

Smear it on a white paper towel. If it smears green then it could be organic and algae.

Does it look like dead bugs? Bird droppings?

 

[Antneye]

You need to capture some and examine it closely.

Smear it on a white paper towel. If it smears green then it could be organic and algae.

Does it look like dead bugs? Bird droppings?

To the naked eye it looks like ash to me. I will try to capture some and report back.

 

[ajw22]

To the naked eye it looks like ash to me. I will try to capture some and report back.

Are you new to the area?

In North Carolina, prescribed burning is most commonly conducted between January and March, when most trees are less active metabolically. In many cases, winter burns are necessary to safely reduce leaves and other flammable materials that accumulate during periods of fire suppression.

https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/using-fire-to-improve-wildlife-habitat

 

[Antneye]

I took a sample and am floored by what I found. What looked like black clumps of ash was actually some kind of living organism. It looks like small bugs to me. Hopefully the video I uploaded works properly. Anyone have any idea how to address this?

 

[Antneye]

I added a few links to a youtube video since i cold not get my video to upload.

 

[ajw22]

Your videos are marked private on YouTube.

 

[Antneye]

Your videos are marked private on YouTube.

I have corrected that. Thanks!

 

[Antneye]

Here’s a pic of what they look like from afar. This is them in the cup I put the sample in.

 

[Rancho Cost-a-Lotta]

Look up "springtails." They are a never-ending battle for me.

 

[kul]

Aha! I also have a similar battle with springtails now and then. Usually after a super windy/rainy day.

 

[Antneye]

How do you get rid of them?

 

[kul]

I just scoop them out. Fortunately it’s not frequent.

 

[Antneye]

I found this article on them.

https://www.hunker.com/13418167/how-to-get-rid-of-springtails-in-your-swimming-pool