Question

What are algae blooms and dead zones?

Answer 1

Algal blooms are caused by things like phytoplankton. While these microscopic plants are an important part of the food chain in lakes and oceans, the term "bloom" usually refers to excessive amounts that might destroy an ecosystem. Drinking water in populations downstream and in dead zones can be contaminated by elevated nitrogen levels and algae blooms. Harmful algal blooms emit toxins into drinking water, causing illness in both animals and people.

Complete answer:
When the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems rapidly expands or accumulates, an algal bloom, also known as an algae bloom, occurs. When a nutrient, such as nitrogen or phosphorus from fertiliser runoff, enters the aquatic system, it causes algae to overproliferate. When the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems rapidly expands or accumulates, an algal bloom, also known as an algae bloom, occurs. When a nutrient, such as nitrogen or phosphorus from fertiliser runoff, enters the aquatic system, it causes algae to overproliferate.

The term "dead zone" refers to areas of a body of water where aquatic life is unable to thrive due to a lack of oxygen. Dead zones are largely a problem for bays, lakes, and coastal waters because they get excess nutrients from upstream sources.

Excess nitrogen and phosphorus generate algae blooms, which result in an overgrowth of algae in a short period of time. Overgrowth of algae depletes oxygen and prevents sunlight from reaching submerged plants. When algae die, the oxygen supply in the water is depleted. Due to a shortage of oxygen, aquatic life cannot survive. Every summer, nitrogen poisoning from the Mississippi River Basin causes the Gulf of Mexico's largest dead zone, which covers over 6,500 square miles.

When certain types of algae bloom in large numbers and produce chemicals or poisons, this is known as a harmful algal bloom. Hazardous algal blooms can form in lakes, reservoirs, rivers, ponds, bays, and coastal waters, and the toxins they produce can be harmful to human health and aquatic life. The principal cause of dangerous algal blooms is a kind of algae known as cyanobacteria, sometimes known as blue-green algae.

Limiting the use of fertilisers, examining the septic system, not using a garburator, lowering the use of detergents, and minimising impermeable surfaces near the water where possible are all techniques to reduce the occurrence of algal blooms in bodies of water like lakes.

When there is too much nitrogen and phosphorus in the water, algae can bloom to harmful proportions. Dead zones form when algae die, sink to the bottom, and are eaten by microorganisms, depleting dissolved oxygen in the surrounding water.

Note: Due to human activity and climate change, algal blooms and dead zones are becoming increasingly widespread and severe in coastal locations around the world. These environmental threats could have far-reaching implications for animals, the fishing industry, and coastal recreation. Here's a quick primer on these environmental threats.