The science behind algal blooms
This type of algae can produce toxins harmful to humans and animals.
What are cyanobacteria (blue-green algae)
When algal blooms block sunlight, they harm these underwater organisms that need light.
What are aquatic plants
Planting trees and plants near water to absorb runoff is called this.
What is creating a buffer zone?
Besides fertilizer, this type of pollution from sewage and wastewater also feeds algae.
What is nutrient pollution (or runoff)?
Some algal blooms cause this condition in pets or wildlife that drink the water.
What is poisoning (or illness)?
Scientists test water for these two nutrients to predict algal blooms.
What are nitrogen and phosphorus?
This part of the water body (top, middle, or bottom) usually sees algae growth first.
What is the surface (top layer)?
The Gulf of Mexico has one of the largest of these low-oxygen areas caused by algal blooms.
What is a dead zone?
Satellite images can detect blooms by noticing changes in this quality of the water.
What is color (or clarity)?
This process, opposite of photosynthesis, happens at night and can lower oxygen levels.
What is cellular respiration
Algal blooms hurt local communities by damaging this industry that harvests fish and shellfish
The fishing industry
This long-term plan manages how land and water are used across an entire region to reduce pollution.
What is watershed management?
The economic damage from algal blooms can cost this many dollars each year in the U.S.
What are millions of (or billions of) dollars?