What are the main causes of these algal blooms?

An algal bloom is mostly caused by the presence of large amounts of nitrogen and phosphorus present in water. These nutrients are washed away from lands and farms that are heavily riddled with nitrogenous and phosphatic fertilizers.

What causes algal blooms and what are the negative effects?

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus cause an overgrowth of algae in a short period of time, also called algae blooms. The overgrowth of algae consumes oxygen and blocks sunlight from underwater plants.

What is the problem caused by algal blooms?

Harmful algal blooms can: Produce extremely dangerous toxins that can sicken or kill people and animals. Create dead zones in the water. Raise treatment costs for drinking water.

How do algal blooms affect coral reefs?

Harmful algal blooms cloud surface waters, blocking sunlight and preventing the coral’s algae counterpart from growing food for itself and the coral. As the bloom dies and decays, the dissolved oxygen is depleted, causing the coral to suffocate.

What diseases are caused by algae?

Types of illness that can be caused by eating seafood contaminated with toxins from harmful algae:

  • Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP)
  • Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP)
  • Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)
  • Domoic Acid Poisoning and Amnesiac Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)
  • Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP)

How do harmful algal blooms affect humans?

What are the health effects of harmful algal blooms? Depending on the type of algae, HABs can cause serious health effects and even death. For example, eating seafood contaminated by toxins from algae called Alexandrium can lead to paralytic shellfish poisoning, which can cause paralysis and even death.

What harmful effects can algae have on humans?

Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties.

What is harmful effect of algae?

Exposure to high levels of blue-green algae and their toxins can cause diarrhea, nausea or vomiting; skin, eye or throat irritation; and allergic reactions or breathing difficulties. Pet and livestock illness/deaths can happen if animals consume large amounts of water containing blooms, scums or benthic mats.

What happens if there is too much algae in the ocean?

A bloom of harmful algae can completely and permanently alter the structure of a food chain, causing massive die-offs of shellfish, marine mammals, fish, seabirds, and other animals that consume them. They can sicken, disable, or kill humans.

Why is algae bad for coral?

Invasive algae can quickly invade and take over coral-dominated habitats. They can overgrow and kill coral by smothering, shading, and abrasion, and can cause reduction in biodiversity and coral cover.

What are symptoms of algae bloom?

Common symptoms experienced include:

  • rash.
  • blisters.
  • cough.
  • wheezing.
  • congestion.
  • sore throat.
  • earache.
  • eye irritation.

How do toxic algal blooms have on human beings?