A harmful algal bloom (HAB) is a biological process in which certain phytoplankton, cyanobacteria, or macroalgae proliferate rapidly and reach high biomass, producing adverse ecological or health effects via toxin production, hypoxia, or habitat alteration. HABs are driven by interactions among nutrient enrichment (especially nitrogen and phosphorus), light, temperature, hydrography, and species-specific physiology, often resulting in dominance of toxin-producing taxa such as some dinoflagellates, diatoms, or cyanobacteria. These blooms can disrupt food webs, cause mass mortalities of aquatic organisms, and generate bioaccumulated toxins that affect higher trophic levels, including humans, through consumption or exposure.
Researchers studying harmful algal blooms in the St. Louis River Estuary that separates Minnesota and Wisconsin have made a breakthrough discovery: for the first time, they've linked a known cyanotoxin directly to a specific ...
Environment
Jun 6, 2025
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The slimy algae topping Florida's waterways are more than just unsightly. They are often toxic to humans, animals and the environment.
Environment
May 20, 2025
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Coastal waters around the world are increasingly losing oxygen, with dramatic consequences for both ecosystems and the people who depend on them. The Baltic Sea is a well-known example: with the consequences of spreading ...
Earth Sciences
May 6, 2025
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In the warm summertime waters of Lake Erie, cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, can proliferate out of control, creating algal blooms that produce toxins at a rate that can harm wildlife and human health.
Environment
Apr 30, 2025
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Whether treading water in a river or diving into a reservoir, summer fun should come with a little caution. As temperatures climb, so does the risk of potentially harmful cyanobacteria blooms—commonly known as blue-green ...
Environment
Apr 30, 2025
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