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Algal bloom
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An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration of the water resulting from the high density of pigmented cells. Although there is no officially recognized threshold level, algae can be considered to be blooming at concentrations of hundreds to thousands of cells per milliliter, depending on the severity.
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Encyclopedia
An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. Typically, only one or a small number of phytoplankton species are involved, and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration of the water resulting from the high density of pigmented cells. Although there is no officially recognized threshold level, algae can be considered to be blooming at concentrations of hundreds to thousands of cells per milliliter, depending on the severity. Algal bloom concentrations may reach millions of cells per milliliter. Algal blooms are often green, but they can also be yellow-brown or red, depending on the species of algae.
Bright green blooms are a result of blue-green algae, which are actually bacteria (cyanobacteria). Blooms may also consist of macroalgal, not phytoplankton, species. These blooms are recognizable by large blades of algae that may wash up onto the shoreline. "Black water" is a dark discoloration of sea water, first described in the Florida Bay in January 2002.
Measurement
Algal blooms are monitored using biomass measurements coupled with the examination of species present. A widely-used measure of algal and cyanobacterial biomass is the chlorophyll concentration. Peak values of chlorophyll a for an oligotrophic lake are about 1-10 µg/l, while in a eutrophic lake they can reach 300 µg/l. In cases of hypereutrophy, such as Hartbeespoort Dam in South Africa, maxima of chlorophyll a can be as high as 3,000 µg/l.
Development
Algal blooms are the result of an excess of nutrients, particularly phosphorus. Excess carbon and nitrogen have also been suspected as causes, but research has shown that this is not the case. When phosphates are introduced into water systems, higher concentrations cause increased growth of algae and plants. Algae tend to out-compete plants under these conditions, and many plant species may begin to die. This dead organic matter becomes food for bacteria that decomposes it. With more food available, the bacteria increase in number and use up the dissolved oxygen in the water. When the dissolved oxygen content decreases, many fish and aquatic insects cannot survive. This results in a dead area.
Blooms may be observed in freshwater aquariums when fish are overfed and excess nutrients are not absorbed by plants. These are not generally harmful for fish, and the situation can be corrected by changing the water in the tank and then reducing the amount of food given.
Health impact
Algal blooms may also be of concern as some species of algae produce neurotoxins. At the high cell concentrations reached during some blooms, these toxins may have severe biological impacts on wildlife. Algal blooms composed of phytoplankters known to naturally produce biotoxins are called Harmful Algal Blooms, or HABs.
Water treatment
Algal blooms sometimes occur in drinking water supplies. In such cases, toxins from the bloom can survive standard water purifying treatments. Researchers at Florida International University in Miami are experimenting with using 640-kilohertz ultrasound waves that create micropressure zones as hot as 3,700 °C. This breaks some water molecules into reactive fragments that can kill algae.
Taihu Algal Bloom
Lake Taihu in Eastern China has been an example of Algal Bloom to attract the attention of the ENGO sector.
Greenpeace China investigated the algal bloom at Lake Taihu and took water samples from Lake. Of 25 samples, 20 were too polluted to be used to water plants or in factories.
See also
External links
- from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- , Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- , a seminar by the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- , an excellent summary.
- A Compilation of citizen based, media and official reports of the locations and severity of current Red Tide Blooms.
- A citizen based group dedicated to raising awareness of Red Tide, debunking myths, educating the public and taking action to promote our oceans' health and help stop red tide.
- provided by Mote Marine Laboratory in Sarasota, FL
- from "NOAA Socioeconomics" website initiative
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