(NH DES photo) New cyanobacteria blooms observed on the Amherst side of Baboosic Lake prompted the state DES to issue an advisory Wednesday.

AMHERST — Green and turbid water observed by state DES officials prompted them to reinstate the cyanobacteria bloom advisory that had been lifted on Aug. 10.

Officials said lake water samples collected on Aug. 17 showed a cyanobacteria density of around 30,200 cells per milliliter, but Wednesday’s readings showed it had ballooned to 86,400 cells/ml in the highest observed accumulations.

Advisories are issued when the concentrations exceed 70,000 cells/ml, officials said.

The advisory is geared toward people who use a particular body of water for recreation, as a precautionary measure for short-term exposure.

Those who fit that category are urged to monitor shorelines for changing conditions, and to avoid contact with the water in areas experiencing elevated cyanobacteria cell conditions, which are called blooms.

DES officials also advise pet owners to keep their pets out of water that shows a bloom.

The toxins that some types of cyanobacteria produce are stored within the cells and released upon the death of the cell. These toxins can cause both acute and chronic health problems that range in severity from irritation of the skin and mucous membranes, tingling, numbness, nausea, vomiting, seizures and diarrhea, to liver and central nervous system damage.

For more information on cyanobacteria and related water issues, go to www.des.nh.gov.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.