The Dangers Of Algal Blooms

It is but a normal thing to find green moss formation in your water system. These are algae blooms. Because of the excess nitrogen formed from decomposing organic matters in the water, algae are formed. These can rapidly multiply that if not given attention; can swaddle the whole water system. And if worse comes to worst, these algae can destroy the whole water system and the living things that depend on it.
Aside from the nitrogen content of the water, the subsistence of other phytoplankton species helps in the intensification of algae growth. The quick increase of algae content in the water is called algae or algal bloom. They can start growing and multiplying in any water features, whether fresh or marine environment. They can reproduce even in wetlands, water ways and in any place where water there is water. Algae bloom can occur at any time of the day in summer and spring.


You may think that algae has nothing good to give human beings and other marine living things. However, these aquatic plant-like organisms can be very useful. As a matter of fact, they supply food and shelter to some kind of fishes and other aquatic creatures. They contribute to the balance of the ecosystem by getting nutrients and filtering heavy metals in the water.


However we want to eliminate algae to stop from blooming, they will not. They are a natural part of every water system on earth. And as every living thing on earth has a good side and bad side algae do to. Some algae blooms are toxic. Those that are formed from diatoms are not really harmful at all. But most algae blooms are harmful to the lives in the water.


Algal blooms are prominent in areas where commercial fisheries and watural water systems are destroyed by men or by the nature itself. The reason for their growth is because there are no fish and marine life for them to feed. That is why some deserted water systems turn into unsual colors like brown, yellow, green or even red. Hence the pandemic red tide which happens when there is an unbalanced number of Gymnodinium that aids red tide.
When algal bloom continously grow and dominate water systems, they comsume a lot of oxygen in the water and give out toxins that are harmful to most living things. Not only they can affect the exitence of marine life, they can also have an effect on the water itself. Once there are no living things that depend on a specifc water system, it dies. This can lead to a much bigger problem affecting the condition of commercial fisheries which leads to economic loss most especially in the marine industry.


To humans, algal blooms can cause otherwise illnesses like stomach cramping, memory loss and the worst can be lethal. This can happen if a person has consumed, either directly or indirectly the toxic algae.
It is but frustrating to know that scientists have not discovered yet the precise causes and solutions for the negative effects of algal bloom. There have been a few studies concerning these dreadful organisms however, they were still in the process up until now.