Paul Frost

U.S. President Donald Trump painted the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool ‘American flag’ blue but it swiftly turned green as algae bloomed. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

June 28, 2026

What science tells us about the algae bloom in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Marguerite Xenopoulos, Trent University and Paul Frost, Trent University

Algal blooms are not maintenance failures requiring paint or treatment with hydrogen peroxide and nanobubbles. They are ecological warning signs.

It can be difficult to distinguish between the calls of sincere scientists for more research to reach greater certainty, and the politically motivated criticisms of science skeptics. (Shutterstock)

January 3, 2022

Scientific certainty survival kit: How to push back against skeptics who exploit uncertainty for political gain

Paul Frost, Trent University; Marguerite Xenopoulos, Trent University; Michael Epp, Trent University, and Michael Hickson, Trent University

Skeptics may make demands for absolute certainty to undermine science and delay action. Critiques may not be in the interest of advancing science and public health, but by someone with an agenda.

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What science tells us about the algae bloom in the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool

Scientific certainty survival kit: How to push back against skeptics who exploit uncertainty for political gain

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