Algal bloom
hideAn 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.
For more information about Algal bloom, read the full article at
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News tagged with algal blooms
Scientists Use Squid Ink to Draw its Jurassic Period Owner
Other Sciences / Archaeology & Fossils
Aug 28, 2009 |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Scientists digging in Trowbridge, Wiltshire in England have uncovered the fossilized remains of a prehistoric squid-like creature that lived in the Jurassic period around 150 million years ...
'Hot spot' for toxic harmful algal blooms discovered off Washington coast
Jan 30, 2009 |
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A part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates Washington state from Canada's British Columbia, is a potential "hot spot" for toxic harmful algal blooms affecting the Washington and British Columbia coasts.
Research finds mangroves being fed to death
May 19, 2009 |
4.2 / 5 (5) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- New UQ Science research has found the increase in nutrients coming out of our river systems is putting pressure on our mangrove forests and making them far more susceptible to environmental ...
Changing climate will lead to devastating loss of phosphorus from soil
Apr 15, 2009 |
2.5 / 5 (8) |
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Crop growth, drinking water and recreational water sports could all be adversely affected if predicted changes in rainfall patterns over the coming years prove true, according to research published this month in Biology an ...
New research could help predict red tide
Biology /
Feb 19, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (4) |
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(PhysOrg.com) -- Not far beneath the ocean's surface, tiny phytoplankton swimming upward in a daily commute toward morning light sometimes encounter the watery equivalent of Rod Serling's Twilight Zone: a ...
Storm killers: Earth Scan Lab tracks cold water upwellings in Gulf
Space & Earth / Earth Sciences
Sep 28, 2009 |
4 / 5 (4) |
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Complex interactions between the ocean and overlying atmosphere cause hurricanes to form, and also have a tremendous amount of influence on the path, intensity and duration of a hurricane or tropical weather event. As researchers ...
Scientists report first remote, underwater detection of harmful algae, toxins
Jul 14, 2009 |
5 / 5 (3) |
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Scientists at NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) have successfully conducted the first remote detection of a harmful algal species and its toxin below ...
Scientists discover 'hot spot' for toxic HABS off Washington coastline
Feb 02, 2009 |
4.7 / 5 (3) |
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A new study funded by NOAA and the National Science Foundation reveals that a part of the Strait of Juan de Fuca, which separates Washington state from Canada's British Columbia, is a potential "hot spot" for toxic harmful ...
Australian oil spill '10 times worse' than thought
Mar 14, 2009 |
4.3 / 5 (3) |
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An oil spill polluting popular tourist beaches on Australia's northeast coast is 10 times worse than originally reported, according to the state government.
DNA tests could help predict, prevent harmful algal blooms
Biology /
Sep 30, 2008 |
4 / 5 (3) |
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A paper published in the current issue of the International Journal of Environment and Pollution, explains how a DNA test can be used to detect harmful algal blooms across the globe. The approach outlined could help reduce ...
Nutrient Pollution Chokes Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems
Biology /
Feb 19, 2009 |
5 / 5 (2) |
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Protecting drinking water and preventing harmful coastal "dead zones", as well as eutrophication in many lakes, will require reducing both nitrogen and phosphorus pollution. Because streams and rivers are ...
Jurassic Park from a Swiss lake?
Mar 12, 2009 |
3.3 / 5 (3) |
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Ecological changes caused by humans affect natural biodiversity. For example, the eutrophication of Greifensee and Lake Constance in the 1970s and 1980s led to genetic changes in a species of water flea which ...
Harmful 'red tide' hits Dubai beaches
Apr 07, 2009 |
3.3 / 5 (3) |
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Beaches in the Gulf tourism hub of Dubai have been plagued by a bloom of algae known as the "red tide" that has killed fish and is potentially harmful to humans, a municipality official said on Tuesday.
International experts weigh-in on harmful algal blooms
Jan 06, 2009 |
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Cambridge, Md. - An international group of scientists is linking nutrient pollution in the world's coastal seas to an increase in the number of harmful algal blooms reported in recent years. When harmful algal blooms (HAB's) ...
Big Advantage for the Small -- Climate change influences the size of marine organisms
Jul 23, 2009 |
2.5 / 5 (2) |
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The ice is melting, the sea level is rising and species are conquering new habitats. The warming of the world climate has many consequences. In the current issue of the renowned journal 'Proceedings of the ...
