The Trump Administration vowed to prosecute individuals accused of vandalizing the Lincoln Memorial reflecting pool, attributing peeling paint and algae blooms to their actions. However, scientists suggested that natural conditions and recent renovations were likely causes for the pool's problems.
Algae, identified as belonging to the genus Desmodesmus, is not toxic or harmful, according to Rosalina Stancheva Christova, a professor of aquatic ecology at George Mason University. She explained that the pool's conditions, particularly during summer, naturally promote algae growth. Christova noted that recent renovations could have altered the nutrient balance in the water, further contributing to the blooms. Additionally, the pool's darker interior absorbs more sunlight, leading to warmer water temperatures conducive to algae proliferation.
The Trump Administration had previously stated that the algal bloom was an expected part of the pool's "normal start-up process" following construction, suggesting dormant algae in the supply lines. This explanation differs from blaming vandalism for the issue.
Algae has been a recurring challenge for the reflecting pool since its inception. The Barack Obama Administration undertook a significant $34 million renovation between 2010 and 2012. This project aimed to address leaks and install a filtration system to control algae. The pool was also made shallower to conserve water, and its bottom was tinted gray to enhance reflectivity. Despite these efforts, algae eventually reappeared, and some leaking persisted, according to reports.