Vajram-And-RaviVajram-And-Ravi
hamburger-icon

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)

29-01-2025

10:14 AM

timer
1 min read
Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) Blog Image

Harmful Algal Blooms Latest News

India’s coastline, rich in biodiversity, is grappling with a growing phenomenon of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).

About Harmful Algal Blooms

  • Certain environmental conditions in water bodies can intensify algae growth, causing algal blooms. 
  • The excessive algal growth becomes visible to the naked eye and can be green, blue-green, red, or brown, depending on the type of algae.
  • Algal blooms can happen in fresh, marine (salt), and brackish (a mixture of fresh and salt) water
  • Not all algal blooms are harmful. Most blooms are beneficial because the tiny plants are food for animals in the ocean.
  • Blooms with the potential to harm human health or aquatic ecosystems are referred to as HABs. 

Why do HABs Occur?

  • Certain environmental conditions, such as warmer water temperatures in the summer and excessive nutrients from fertilizers or sewage waste brought by runoff, trigger HABs.
  • Many different types of algae can cause HABs. However, three types—cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates, and diatoms—cause most blooms that make people and animals sick.

What are the Impacts from HABs?

  • HABs can produce toxins which can result in acute or chronic disease in most vertebrates, depending on the type of toxin and amount of toxin absorbed.
  • HABs can damage the environment by depleting the oxygen in the water, which can kill fish and other living creatures. 
  • HABs that bloom near the water surface can also block sunlight from reaching organisms deeper in the water.

Harmful Algal Blooms FAQs

Q1. What are red tides?

Ans. Red tides are a type of harmful algal bloom (HAB) caused by the rapid growth of certain algae in marine or coastal waters. 

Q2. Which algae is responsible for red tide?

Ans. Dinoflagellates, particularly species from the genus Karenia, are primarily responsible for red tides.

Q3. What are the harmful effects of algae?

Ans. 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.

Source: TH