Toxic Algal Blooms

Climate change is a complex subject, but we see signs of it everywhere. Rising sea levels and increasingly severe weather events such as blizzards and heatwaves, violent hurricanes and typhoons, tornadoes, flooding, landslides, and drought are becoming more extreme year after year. The secondary impacts can be even more severe, affecting agriculture, the fishing industry, global trade, the spread of disease, reduced wildlife populations, increased pests, and sadly, an increase in Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs).  

The development of HABs (also known as cyanobacteria, blue-green algae, or toxic algae) in our lakes, ponds, rivers, and oceans is particularly concerning because of their ability to release dangerous toxins. Though the mechanisms behind toxin production are not completely understood, certain conditions make the release of toxins more likely to occur.

HABs thrive in warm, nutrient-rich waters, and climate change may be reinforcing these conditions by causing prolonged periods of heat. Changing rainfall patterns and sea level rise can alter the amount of nutrients available to algae, leading to more frequent toxic algae blooms that last for longer periods of time. Increased pollution, reliance on fertilizers for lawns, gardens, and agricultural farms, as well as expanded use of pesticides to combat pests are also increasing the influx of nutrients, most notably phosphorus, into our water resources. 

Additionally, increased levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere can intensify ocean acidification, which threatens fish and other organisms at the base of the food chain that help keep ecological balance in check. This can make it easier for toxic blue-green algae to take over aquatic environments. Large toxic algae blooms may eventually cause dissolved oxygen deficiencies that exacerbate these imbalances.

The toxins produced by HABs can have serious impacts on the health of humans and animals. If exposed to these toxins, wildlife, dogs, and other pets can become violently ill and even die. In addition to the possibility of severe illness in humans too, research suggests that there may be a connection to the development of neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) later in life.

While cyanotoxins are particularly a threat for those who live or spend significant time around the water, entire communities can be exposed through drinking water from affected reservoirs. Unappealing tastes and odors are a common sign of their presence, and treatment facilities can struggle to effectively remove impurities from the water. 

Though there is much research to be done on the impact of climate change and the increasing proliferation of HABs, citizens look to property managers, golf course superintendents, and government officials to protect the health and safety of their water resources. Small-scale efforts are unlikely to curb the colossal effects of climate change; however, it is possible to take steps to prevent conditions that fuel HABs in our local communities: