Harmful algal blooms Rapid increase of the algae (cyanobacteria) population in aquatic ecosystems, both in fresh and marine waters is called Algal bloom. Fertilization of surface waters (eutrophication) results in explosive growth of algae. These algae thrive where there is an abundance of two nutrients-phosphorus and nitrogen, usually caused by runoff of nutrients (animal waste, fertilizers, sewage) from the land.
Algal bloom affects the whole ecosystem. Freshwater cyanobacteria (Blue-green Algae) such as Oscillatoria PCC 6506 , Dolichospermum / Anabaena , Cuspidothrix and Hormidium/Microcoleus are becoming more predominant in lakes and ponds worldwide due to global warming and climate change according to Dr James Sutherland from the Nantucket Land Council. Blue-green algae have higher growth rates than any other group of algae even under low light conditions, or in turbid water.…
