A very large algae bloom in Lake Erie, North America, which can be seen from space. An algal bloom or algae bloom is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in fresh water or marine water systems. It is often recognized by the discoloration in …

Oct 10, 2024 · A harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurs when toxin-producing algae grow excessively in a body of water. The excessive algal growth, or algal bloom, becomes visible to the naked eye and can be green, blue-green, red, or brown, depending on the type of algae.

Harmful algal blooms are the rapid growth of algae or cyanobacteria in water that can harm people, animals, or the environment. Going in or near water with a harmful algal bloom can make you and your animals sick. Stay out if water looks discolored, has scum, or smells bad.

Apr 27, 2016 · Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae — simple plants that live in the sea and freshwater — grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.

Learning to recognize signs of a harmful algal bloom, and staying out of water if you see one, can help you avoid getting sick. Government agencies and other organizations are not able to monitor all bodies of water for harmful algal blooms.

Jan 10, 2019 · Outbreaks of algae have killed up to a million fish in the Murray Darling Basin over the last two weeks. The phenomena of “algae blooms”, when the population of algae in a river rapidly...

Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) bloom on Lake Erie (United States) in 2009. These kinds of algae can cause harmful algal bloom. A harmful algal bloom (HAB), or excessive algae growth, sometimes called a red tide in marine environments, is an algal bloom that causes negative impacts to other organisms by production of natural algae-produced toxins, water deoxygenation, mechanical damage to ...

Apr 18, 2024 · Harmful algal blooms can hurt local ecosystems, including people, animals, and plants. Harmful algal blooms are more likely to grow in warm, slow-moving water with many nutrients. Help prevent harmful algal blooms from growing by using fertilizers properly and maintaining your septic system.

Feb 5, 2025 · Harmful algal blooms are mainly the result of a type of algae called cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae. Elevated nutrient levels and algal blooms can also cause problems in drinking water in communities nearby and upstream from dead zones.

Mar 6, 2025 · Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when algae or cyanobacteria produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. HABs can have adverse effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health, and cause significant economic impacts to coastal communities. Ranging from single-celled microalgae to large seaweeds, algae are photosynthetic organisms that form the ...