| Algal blooms are naturally occurring phenomenon, | | | | roughly huge percentage of algae discovered every |
| wherein the sudden increase in the population of algae | | | | year. |
| takes place. Algae bloom does not choose certain | | | | One or few species of phytoplankton is responsible |
| type of water; it occurs in both freshwater and marine | | | | for blooms that can only be recognized through the |
| environments. Algae on ponds and lakes are the most | | | | discoloration of water. The discoloration of water can |
| popular environment for these organisms. | | | | be yellow, brown, red, or green, most commonly |
| Little is known about algae blooms because there | | | | referred to as "red tide." Red tide is triggered by |
| have been no specific studies that delve on its real | | | | numerous accumulation of algal bloom in coastal |
| nature. | | | | waters. When algal bloom spread throughout the |
| Scientists believed that algae have existed several | | | | water, it depletes the oxygen contents and emits |
| billion years ago. They are one of the earliest forms of | | | | toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Bright |
| life that formed blooms along coasts and lakes. | | | | green blooms may also occur from the toxicity of |
| Weren't for the algae, there would be no forms of life | | | | blue-green algae. Most algal blooms are the outcome |
| today. When the earth was formed, these tiny | | | | of too much concentration of phosphorous and |
| organisms were created and they produced large | | | | nitrogen in the water. Dead algae can worsen the |
| volume of oxygen that was taken up in the | | | | problem, because the bacteria that feed on rotten |
| atmosphere. To make things simpler, algae were | | | | algae use the remaining dissolved oxygen needed by |
| responsible for releasing sheaths of oxygen, the | | | | plants and fish to survive. When algae consume all the |
| element essential to life. | | | | dissolved oxygen, many fish and other aquatic animals |
| Although algae are deemed as the origin of life on | | | | will die due to suffocation. High densities of algal |
| earth, these organisms are much considered as | | | | blooms pose serious biological effects on marine |
| damaging threats to marine life. Algae produce | | | | wildlife. |
| soup-like blooms in freshwaters; otherwise, in marine | | | | The occurrence of algal blooms has been a major |
| environment, algal bloom can blanket an entire seafloor | | | | concern around the world. The bloom of toxic species |
| swiftly within an hour or two. Massive algal bloom has | | | | can inflict diseases to humans such as gastroenteritis, |
| been spotted in Baltic Sea coast, turning pristine water | | | | lung irritation, and skin disorders. Severe intoxication |
| into fetid yellow-brown sludge that locals refer to as | | | | may lead to death or paralysis to humans and animals. |
| "rhubarb soup." | | | | Aside from health risks to humans and animals, harmful |
| Harmful algae bloom or toxic algal bloom (HABs) arise | | | | algal bloom can cause major economic problems to |
| when algal species discharge neurotoxins, poison | | | | places plagued with algae. There are several states in |
| produced from stressed and dying algae, followed by | | | | U.S. such as New England, Texas, and Florida, including |
| climate change. The exact number of the species of | | | | Australia, that had suffered much from economic loss |
| algae around the world remains undetermined; | | | | when HABS dominated the coasts and commercial |
| otherwise, there are around 3,000 species of algae | | | | fisheries. |
| abundant in the fresh waters of Australia, but there is | | | | |