Algal Bloom:
What are Algal Blooms?
Algal blooms are environmental hazard that occur when there are favorable environmental conditions(warm weather, sunlight and excess nutrients) which allow explosive growth of phytoplankton. This creates extremely dense clouds of these organisms (blooms) which can change the color of ocean water. ' The water's taste and odor usually changes as a result of blooms. These colors may include green, purple, black ,red or yellowish brown.
Causes:
https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english/fisheries/hkredtide/redtide/red02.html
Figure 20:
This diagram outlines the causes of algal blooms:
Algal blooms can be triggered in two ways:
Natural:
-light intensity
-trace elements
-nutrient
-temperature
-water flow of algae
-salinity
Anthropogenic:
-discharge of organic or nutrient-enriched matters
Figure 20:
This diagram outlines the causes of algal blooms:
Algal blooms can be triggered in two ways:
Natural:
-light intensity
-trace elements
-nutrient
-temperature
-water flow of algae
-salinity
Anthropogenic:
-discharge of organic or nutrient-enriched matters
Figure 21:
This diagram outlines the main factors influencing the growth of HAB.
- light conditions
- phosphorous level
- Urban and agricultural run-off
- leaking septic systems
- other sources of waste water into shallow, stagnant water
-zebra mussels
From the factors listed, we can see that human play a vital role in affecting the growth of HABs.
This diagram outlines the main factors influencing the growth of HAB.
- light conditions
- phosphorous level
- Urban and agricultural run-off
- leaking septic systems
- other sources of waste water into shallow, stagnant water
-zebra mussels
From the factors listed, we can see that human play a vital role in affecting the growth of HABs.
Impacts:
There are many types of algal blooms which cause harm but the algal blooms created from cyanobacteria(blue-green algae) is the worst. HAB (Harmful Algal Bloom) is a bloom of cyanobacteria which potentially contains toxins. HABs produce a wide range of neurotoxins, liver toxins and skin irritants. There have been cases of humans and pets dying after coming into contact with these blooms. These harmful blooms can last for a certain amount of time depending on the environmental conditions. HAB can also affect the food chan negatively by reducing the amount of nutritious edible phytoplankton that zooplankton and other primary consumers need to survive. These primary consumers will then starve leading to secondary and higher-order consumers starving as well. Oxygen levels can be affected by increased cell concentration as they can block sunlight from primary producers under the water’s surface or by the death of cells in the bloom. We can see the detrimental impacts of algal blooms as they decrease dissolved oxygen levels which is lethal to the survival of aquatic organisms.
Health Concerns of HAB: (Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Environmental Health Environmental Toxicology Program)
• Contact with these algae can cause skin and eye irritation.
• Ingesting small amounts can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Ingesting large amounts of toxins may cause liver or neurological damage.
• Inhaling water spray with algae in it can cause asthma-like symptoms.
• Small children and pets are more susceptible to the effects of toxins than adults. Livestock and pet deaths from ingesting algal toxins have occurred. If you see water that appears to have an algae bloom, do not come into contact with or ingest the water. Treating water by boiling does not get rid of any toxins present. Prevent contact and ingestion by kids and pets.
Dogs can get very ill and even die from licking algae off of their fur. Rinse dogs off immediately if they come into contact with an algae bloom.
Health Concerns of HAB: (Massachusetts Department of Public Health Bureau of Environmental Health Environmental Toxicology Program)
• Contact with these algae can cause skin and eye irritation.
• Ingesting small amounts can cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Ingesting large amounts of toxins may cause liver or neurological damage.
• Inhaling water spray with algae in it can cause asthma-like symptoms.
• Small children and pets are more susceptible to the effects of toxins than adults. Livestock and pet deaths from ingesting algal toxins have occurred. If you see water that appears to have an algae bloom, do not come into contact with or ingest the water. Treating water by boiling does not get rid of any toxins present. Prevent contact and ingestion by kids and pets.
Dogs can get very ill and even die from licking algae off of their fur. Rinse dogs off immediately if they come into contact with an algae bloom.
Combating Algal Blooms:
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is one of the leading groups combating against algal blooms, they have efforts to research and understand harmful algal blooms (HABs). The NCCOS's Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms Research Program is developing new ways to detect HABs and how to reduce their impacts. Furthermore, another group from NOAA, the NOAA Monitoring and Event Response for Harmful Algal Blooms Research Program is expanding efforts to monitor waters, to alert coastal communities of risks and how to respond.
For more information Visit the sites below:
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/
http://www.townofpembrokemass.org/pdfs%20and%20forms/MDPH%20HAB%20Brochure.pdf
http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/
http://www.townofpembrokemass.org/pdfs%20and%20forms/MDPH%20HAB%20Brochure.pdf