The Deadly Blooms

Algal blooms are naturally occurring phenomenon, in which the sudden increase in the number of algae occurs. Algae do not choose certain types of water, it happens in both freshwater and marine environments. Algae in ponds and lakes are the most popular environment for these organisms.

Little is known about algae blooms because there has been no specific studies to dive to his true nature.

Scientists believed that algae have existed several billion years ago. They are one of the earliest forms of life, formed blooms along the coasts and lakes. Was not the algae, there would be no life forms today. Since Earth was formed, these small organisms were created and produced large amounts of oxygen taken up in the atmosphere. To make things simpler, algae were responsible for releasing handles of oxygen, the element essential for life.

Although algae is considered as the origin of life on earth, these organisms are highly regarded as harmful threats to marine life. Algae produces soup-like blooms in freshwater, or else in the marine environment can flourish blanket an entire seabed fast within an hour or two. Massive blooms have been spotted in the Baltic coast, turning pristine water smelly yellow-brown sludge locals call "rhubarb soup."

Harmful algal blooms or blooms of toxic algae (Hobs) occurs when algae discharge neurotoxins, poisons produced by stressed and dying algae, followed by climate change. The exact number of species of algae in the world remains unresolved, otherwise there are about 3,000 species of algae abundant in freshwater in Australia, but there are about much of algae discovered every year.

One or a few species of phytoplankton are responsible for the blooms, which can only be recognized by discoloration of the water. The discoloration of water may be yellow, brown, red or green, commonly called "red tide." Red tide is caused by a variety of accumulation of blooms in coastal waters. When blooms scattered across the water, it depletes the oxygen and emit toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Bright green blooms may also arise from the toxicity of blue-green algae. Most algal blooms are a result of too much concentration of phosphorus and nitrogen in the water. Dead algae can aggravate the problem because the bacteria that feed on decaying algae use the remaining dissolved oxygen using plants and fish to survive. When the algae consume all the dissolved oxygen, many fish and other aquatic animals will die of suffocation. High densities of algal blooms serious biological effects on marine animals.

The occurrence of algal blooms has been a major problem worldwide. The blooms of toxic species can cause diseases in humans such as gastroenteritis, respiratory irritation, and skin disorders. Severe poisoning can cause death or paralysis to humans and animals.

Apart from health risks to humans and animals, harmful bloom can cause major economic problems to places plagued by algae. There are several U.S. states such as New England, Texas and Florida, including Australia, which had suffered much from the economic losses when Hobs dominated coasts and commercial fisheries.