Just days after a well-publicized $14.2 million renovation that repainted the bottom of the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool in “American Flag Blue,” the water has turned bright fucking green — a result of rapid algae blooms.
AI sez: Residual algae from the dormant supply lines (which sat dry during construction) bloomed quickly when reintroduced to warm weather and water. Pool maintenance experts note that the newly painted navy blue base absorbs and retains more heat, creating an ideal environment for algae to thrive. To combat the bloom, National Park Service crews are using skimmers, vacuuming the basin, and actively treating the water with hydrogen peroxide and ozone-injected nanobubbles.
