Harmful algal bloom
Harmful Algal Bloom
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) (pronunciation: /ˈhɑːrmfʊl ˈælɡəl bluːm/) is a rapid increase or accumulation in the population of algae in freshwater or marine water systems. It is often recognized by the discoloration in the water from the algae's pigments.
Etymology
The term "harmful algal bloom" is derived from the harmful effects these blooms can have on ecosystems and human health. The word "algal" is the plural form of "alga", which comes from the Latin word for "seaweed". "Bloom" refers to the rapid and excessive growth of algae, similar to the blooming of flowers in a garden.
Description
Harmful algal blooms can occur in all types of water—salt, brackish, and fresh—and are caused by a variety of different species of algae. The blooms can produce toxins that are harmful to other organisms and can disrupt ecosystems by blocking sunlight and depleting oxygen in the water, causing other organisms to die.
Related Terms
- Algae: Simple, non-flowering, and typically aquatic plants of a large group that includes the seaweeds and many single-celled forms. Algae contain chlorophyll but lack true stems, roots, leaves, and vascular tissue.
- Ecosystem: A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
- Toxin: A poison of plant or animal origin, especially one produced by or derived from microorganisms and causing disease when present at low concentration in the body.
See Also
References
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Harmful algal bloom
- Wikipedia's article - Harmful algal bloom
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