Algicides

/ˈælɡɪsaɪdz/ noun

Definition

Chemical substances or treatments designed to kill or control algae growth.

Etymology

From Latin algae 'seaweed' plus -cide 'to kill,' following the productive English pattern of combining Latin words with this suffix (like pesticide or homicide).

Kelly Says

Pool maintenance companies depend on algicides, but there's irony: some algicides can harm the beneficial algae in water ecosystems that fish depend on for oxygen, so they must be used carefully.

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