Why Do Harmful Algal Blooms Occur?

Florida red tide blooms were linked to many emergency room check-ins regarding respiratory and intestinal ailments (Pierce and Henry, 2008). Even though some of these illnesses were attributed to toxic seafood consumption, many of the hospitalizations are a result of breathing in the aerosol from these toxic blooms, causing asthma attack and bronchitis. The blooms toxic aerosol floats to the seas surface in bubbles, which are blown on shore. The authors of the article states, “Future illnesses would range between $2 and $24 million,” if the futures yearly blooms continue (Hoagland et al, 2014). Due to the problems that the critical blooms create, there needs to be a remedy to reduce the high toxic bloom levels to insignificant

Economically speaking, these algal blooms are responsible for millions of dollars in losses annually. Local economies prosper thanks to the millions of recreation tourists who benefit from this vacation destination, but in 2011 alone, Lake Erie algal blooms cost Ohio’s recreation fishing industry and Maumee Bay State Park an estimated combined total loss of 3.7 million dollars US (McLean et al., 2014). Not to mention, treating the toxic water to make it potable again has costly demands, as well (Yeoman, 2011).

In this research paper I will talk about how a large decrease in the algae population in the Chesapeake Bay will cause problems for not just fish and other species but the people who fish and make a living off of it. A large decrease in algae population will have a domino effect on the food chain. Having a major decrease in algae will hurt how others species live and protect themselves.

People are polluting the oceans which not only affects us but also affects the beautiful underwater habitats and interesting sea creatures. Two billion people within 30 miles of the coast create 100 metric tons of coastal plastic waste (Doc.1). This plastic waste can get caught around sea animals, injuring them or even killing them (OI). Oils spills can really hurt marine life (Doc.2). Some creatures could eat it or get covered in it. If the fish eats the oil and then someone or something eats the fish they could get extremely ill. When there are excess nutrients in the water algal blooms occur, which is when algae has too many nutrients and reproduces in large numbers, this can also hurt people (OI). For these reasons and many more we should

Algae blooms have been an issue in the Chesapeake Bay, especially in the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Algae is a natural and critical part of the ecosystem, however in large doses it is harmful to the plants and organisms within the ecosystem. Algae blooms can block out sunlight and kill other plants in the water. Algae depends on various factors such as water, nutrients and carbon dioxide to grow. Eutrophication of the Inner Harbor has lead to algae blooms that have caused large fish kills in the past. When there is an over abundance of certain chemical nutrients eutrophication can occur. Runoff from land and farms is the main cause of excess nutrients into the water. The most common nutrients that are related to algae outbreaks are nitrate nitrogen and phosphate. In addition, a lack of dissolved oxygen can also be an indicator for the process of eutrophication and risk of an algae outbreak. A particular type of algae commonly found in Maryland is known as Prorocentrum minimum. Prorocentrum tends to cause “mahogany tides” causing water to be brown and have an odor. There has been a campaign launched by the Healthy Harbor

Fresh cell homogenate of G. semen collected from Lake Jelino (“FH” treatments) with chl-a range: 894 – 3576 mg m-3, caused distinct negative effect on Daphnia survival (Fig. 2.). It increased with the increasing biomass of alga and time of exposure. At lower chl-a concentrations (894 and 1778 mg m-3) the survival rate averaged 40% – 70 % after 24 h and 20 % – 30 % after 48 and 72 h of exposure. However, the addition of the most concentrated and fresh G.semen homogenized biomass (chl-a: 3576 mg m-3) caused 100% Daphnia mortality already after

Red tide is a very serious issue that severely affects the West Coast of Florida. Red tide is defined as a toxic bloom in red dinoflagellates. It has major impacts on its surroundings. Algal species that have harmful effects are commonly referred to as Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Toxic red tide is threatening tourism in West Florida as well as wildlife, specifically the endangered manatees as it extends down the Florida coast. When conditions are right, dinoflagellates will bloom in very large numbers. Red tides name comes from the color that the blooms give the water when there are high concentrations of algae. Don Anderson, a senior scientist at the Woods

The occasions of Pseudo-nitzschia blooms have become more frequent recently and lead to the implementation of early detection systems by some countries. Not all the blooms caused by Pseudo-nitzschia are toxic. The populations of algae show the significant degree of variation in toxin production. It is suggested that increase in the amount of available nutrients, light, temperature and diatom-associated bacteria leads to the increased rates of DA production (Erdner et al., 2008). Recent data indicate that the blooms of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia have become stronger due to increase in the levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The gas is easily dissolved in the ocean water,

There are several environmental concerns affecting the community of Lusby, Maryland, but of main concern is the cyanobacteria growing in the Chesapeake Bay. The blue-green algae called cyanobacteria is infesting the waterways in and around Lusby causing a hazard to the community. According to National Geographic (n.d.), the Chesapeake Bay was one of the first waterways recognized in the 1970s having overgrowth of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria contains both an algae and a bacteria and when growth exceeds space and the algae begins to die, two issues occur: toxins are produced and released which are harmful to both humans and animals and hypoxia follows as oxygen is consumed in excessive creating a dead zone in the water for all other living

Construction of hotels, recreation and other facilities often leads to increased sewage pollution. Wastewater has polluted seas and lakes surrounding tourist attractions, damaging the flora and fauna. Sewage runoff causes serious damage to coral reefs because it stimulates the growth of algae, which cover the filter-feeding corals, hindering their ability to survive. Changes

There are innumerable sources of pollution to the Chesapeake Bay creating serious water quality issues. Run-off and discharge from natural, industrial and municipal sources causes nutrient overload, resulting in algae blooms. The algae blocks out the sun, which prevents native aquatic grasses from surviving. As the blooms die, they deplete the water of oxygen which is essential to the survival of all aquatic animals.

There are several environmental concerns affecting the community of Lusby, Maryland, but of main concern is the cyanobacteria growing in the Chesapeake Bay. Chesapeake Bay and Patuxent River surrounded the peninsula town on Lusby and numerous lakes and creeks are embedded in the town as well, creating breeding ground for the blue-green algae, cyanobacteria and a hazard for the community. According to National Geographic, the Chesapeake Bay was one of the first waterways recognized in the 1970s that had overgrowth of cyanobacteria. Cyanobacteria contains both an algae and a bacteria and when growth exceeds space and the algae begins to die, two issues occur: toxins are produced and released which are harmful to both humans and animals and hypoxia follows as oxygen is consumed in excessive creating a dead zone in the water for all other living organisms in the bay (“U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Health and Ecological Effects, Nutrient Pollution Policy and Data,” n.d.).

In addition, the nutrients from these sources cause harm to the Gulf of Mexico because they cause an increase of algae growth in the area usually known as red tide. The algae releases toxins in the water, killing many of the marine mammal life

Not only does the environment get wrecked but this algae has caused human death before (CRISPS). Off the northern coast of Sabah in East malaysia, 7 people died among 202 affected by Paralytic shellfish poisoning. This is due to red tide producing a class of neurotoxins called brevetoxins. These toxins not only get into our food supply but they become aerosolized by the surf and winds. When breathed in or ingested they are known to cause dizziness, numbness, vomiting, and even partial paralysis. Since this is still a relatively knew problem in the medical community, long term effects are still unknown. Among the neurotoxic effects, red tide can bring respiratory problems as I mentioned earlier. Getting up early to surf before school was a normal thing for me even when red tide was in full effect. I would come into school with bloodshot watery eyes, my skin and lungs burning only after an hour in the surf. The effects really sneak up on you if you don’t understand it is

The United States of America’s west coast is home to a diverse population of aquatic creatures. Amongst those sea-dwellers is a kind of mammal called a California sea lion. The website Scientific American has published an article on how the amount of naturally occurring algae in the California sea lions’ habitats has reached an all-time record high in 2015. Though one may not see algae as a necessarily bad thing, when grown in excess amounts, the toxins in algae can accumulate and cause harm to the ecosystem. Some may ask, how does this affect west coast sea lions?