Latest news with #HarmfulAlgalBlooms
Forbes
25-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The Ongoing Oceanic Catastrophe In Australia Was Predicted Years Ago
Alfred Hitchcock's 1963 film The Birds is believed to be inspired by real events. In 1961, along the shores of North Monterey Bay, California, 'crazed seabirds pelted the shores;' these sooty shearwaters started flying into objects, dying on the streets, regurgitating anchovies. This odd, disconcerting event was worthy fodder for a horror film. Analysis shows these birds had ingested high amounts of domoic acid, from a diatom called pseudo-nitzschia, the same chemical that's poisoned thousands of marine mammals in California this year alone. A sea lion with domoic acid poisoning experiencing involuntary muscle spasms. We have another reason to address warming waters, extreme weather events and inefficient agriculture. Put together, they contribute to the increased risk of harmful algal blooms (HABs) that can bring mass death to the marine ecosystems they pervade. California can report 50 dead dolphins in a week, while 'feral, demonic sealions' are attacking surfers. Harmful Algal blooms have been recorded for hundreds of years, with a link seen between the discolored lake water, and the subsequent death of the animals that drank from it. Over the last 40 years or so, these events have become more frequent. This beloved dog, Cedar, died within hours from a 'benthic algae mat'. These formations of algae grow at the bottom of a body of water and detach, surfacing and posing a distinct littoral threat. They're harder to detect than surface blooms and may be more persistent. They can enter the food web and threaten the rest of us via shellfish, while their 'toxic aerosol' can cause respiratory problems. Public Safety Poster about the dangers of benthic algal mats. Warmer Waters Favor Cyanobacteria Blue-green algae isn't algae but in fact cyanobacteria, which are prokaryotes that photosynthesize. Different types of organisms have their environmental preferences and cyanobacteria is the same. It prefers warm waters compared to similar microorganisms so it will thrive thanks to global warming. Interestingly, the darkness of this top layer of cyanobacteria can absorb more heat, creating a feedback loop that perpetuates its growth. Climate action strategies include recognizing tipping points and taking early action. This applies to HABs the same as it does to die-back in the Amazon. The body of water on the right has a cyanobacteria bloom. The left has no bloom. Cause and Effect of Bad Water Management Nutrient run-off is the leading, controllable cause of algal blooms. The water wasted from flood irrigation gives us enough reason to adopt more efficient methods of irrigation, even before considering the risk of runoff. Rather than flooding a field and having some of that water overflow, and enter the local environment, other methods are more targeted. Unlike flooding, other techniques (for example drip irrigation) do not cause water to overflow the field and runoff into a tributary, where the nutrient pollution enters the wider aqueous ecosystem. Nutrient pollution is a problem in more than one-third of lakes and half of all rivers and streams in the United States. While preventing the runoff upstream will be a way to prevent the blooms, the EPA has a list of local resources to deal with them. Beyond creating toxins that can directly kill animals, or harm humans that eat contaminated animals, people may suffer skin irritation and respiratory problems from contact with some of these microorganisms. Species of algae that aren't toxic can still cause harm by forming a surface layer that blocks sunlight for the plant life below. Bodies of water can deteriorate into 'dead zones,' where this lack of sunlight kills the aquatic plants below, now unable to photosynthesize, which depletes the water of oxygen. With that, limited fish or marine life can survive. The largest dead zone in America occurs every summer, when nutrient pollution from the Mississippi River Basin enters the Gulf of America and creates a dead zone of about 4,300-6,500 square miles. Last year saw the dead zone reach 6,700 square miles; the EPA estimates that it will cost $7 Billion a year to reduce this problem. Reasons to Like Algae Having explored toxic algae and the hazards that can arise from benign algae, let's ponder what redeeming uses this group of organisms may offer. Some algae can be used as fertilizers, which would address the ammonia production carbon emissions issues. It's further beneficial as a form of carbon capture and sequestration: while the Haber Bosch would require intensive energy input which causes high emissions (1.8% of global CO2 emissions), algae can grow naturally in a carbon intensive environment, removing it and creating biomass. This biomass has applications beyond fertilizers, such as in biofuels. Spirulina adds a boost to your morning smoothie, and dried seaweed is delicious. Sewage leaks are inherently disgusting and bad for drinking water, and lead to HABs that are the same. Sewage is nutrient pollution that fuels blooms, giving municipalities further reason to efficiently address sewage problems, if they needed it. Algae is not just caused by wastewater, but could help address the issue. From a research paper about using algae for biomass production and nutrient separation while treating wastewater: 'When algae were used to clean wastewater, amazing benefits were guaranteed, such as a decrease in the formation of dangerous solid sludge and the creation of valuable algal biomass through recycling of the nutrients in the wastewater.' Let us work to limit the causes of harmful algae while harnessing the benefits of helpful algae. The First Plague in the Book of Exodus (from The Bible) talks about the sea turning red, of fish dying, of people being unable to drink from the odorous waters. These sorts of events used to be rare, natural occurrences, but over the last 40 years these plagues have become more frequent. Australia is in the midst of an 'ecological catastrophe' as a HAB 70 times the size of Sydney Harbor disrupts life in South Australia, with residents protesting for action. Commercial fisherman are facing bankruptcy, while all residents are suffering. Dead Maori Octopus Could this have been prevented? Yes, a dozen local researchers wrote to the Federal Environment Minister in 2023 about the importance of mitigation and monitoring, and requested funding for reef protection. They were ignored. The Marine Fisher Association says that the current Harmful Algal Bloom has caused 'complete ecosystem failure.'
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What's really going on with Lake Erie? OSU expert breaks it down June 10
The Ohio State University at Marion will host a community lecture on Lake Erie. The event is part of the Buckeye Talks on Tap series and will feature Christopher Winslow, Ph.D., the director of Ohio Sea Grant and Stone Laboratory. The lecture, titled 'The State of Lake Erie: Nutrients and Harmful Algal Blooms,' is scheduled for 5:30 pm. Tuesday, June 10, at Bucci's Italian Scratch Kitchen. Lake Erie plays a crucial role in Ohio's economy, transportation, recreation and tourism. It also serves as a drinking water source for millions of residents, according to an announcement. Winslow will discuss nutrient sources affecting Lake Erie, including agricultural nutrient losses and best management practices. He also will address strategies for achieving a 40% reduction in phosphorus, as well as gaps in information and research needs. Winslow coordinates research, education and outreach efforts related to Lake Erie in collaboration with various state and federal agencies and universities. He holds a master's and doctorate from Bowling Green State University and a bachelor's degree from Ohio University. Before joining The Ohio State University, he served as an instructor at Bowling Green State University from 2002 to 2009 and as an assistant professor at Kutztown University of Pennsylvania from 2009 to 2011. Buckeye Talks on Tap takes place the second Tuesday of each month at Bucci's Italian Scratch Kitchen, 320 W. Center St., Marion. Doors will open at 5 p.m., with the lecture starting at 5:30 p.m. An open discussion will follow at 6 p.m. This story was created by Jane Imbody, jimbody@ with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at or share your thoughts at with our News Automation and AI team. This article originally appeared on Marion Star: Lake Erie future at stake - join the conversation in Marion June 10
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Deadly toxic algae bloom causing sea lions to become sick, violent
The Brief A toxic algae bloom is causing sea lions and other mammals and birds to become sick. Domoic acid toxicity is caused by ocean blooms of algae called Harmful Algal Blooms. The toxin causes neurological issues in seabirds and mammals that eat anchovies, sardines, and crustaceans that have eaten the toxic algae. The condition is known to cause seizures, stillbirths, and even violence in some sea lions. SAN PEDRO, Calif. - A deadly toxin is causing several sea mammals and birds to fall ill or even die. Domoic acid (DA) toxicity is caused by ocean blooms of algae called Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). The toxin causes neurological issues in seabirds and mammals that eat anchovies, sardines, and crustaceans that have eaten the toxic algae. The toxin causes severe neurological symptoms, including tremors, seizures, stillbirths, and even violence, according to the International Bird Rescue. The condition is treatable, but sick animals are flooding marine mammal care centers up and down the coast. It's killing birds, dolphins, sea lions, and turtles. To complicate the crisis, health experts say the symptoms can resemble those caused by bird flu and protozoal encephalitis. What they're saying A sick sea lion delivered her fetus at the Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro. Unfortunately, the pup won't make it…but it's mama's only chance, according to Veterinarian Dr. Alissa Deming. "The only way to flush the toxin out of the mom and make sure we're able to save her is to induce premature labor and clear that fetus and the amniotic fluid out. And unfortunately, these fetuses are too early on gestation to be able to survive outside the mother, so our only option for them is humane euthanasia," Dr. Deming told FOX 11. Experts say this is the worst toxic algae bloom to hit the Southern California coast, and it's currently in its fifth week. "It's called Sudanecha and it produces domoic acid which is a toxin that gets ingested in the food system through little fish that eat algae. Bigger fish eat them and then sea lions and dolphins in particular are affected by this that eat the fish," said Marine Mammal Care Center CEO John Warner. The longer the bloom, the more they ingest, the worse the symptoms. Experts say it's so neurologically compromising that it can cause violent behaviors in sickened mammals. A surfer in Oxnard said a sea lion charged at him seven times, bitting his bottom. He's now out of the ER and in physical therapy. Warner calls the encounter "uncharacteristic" even under these conditions. "These are still the lovely, loveable cuddle-puddle sea lions that we have come to know and love but unfortunately, they're sick." They say the chances of an animal surviving from DA is about 65%. International Bird Rescue is currently receiving birds affected by the toxin every day. Affected species include Brown Pelicans, Western Grebes, Brandt's Cormorants and Red-throated Loons. Experts believe the retardant used in the recent LA wildfires may be a contributor to the disease, and it's already been proven in fresh water. What you can do Beachgoers are urged to remain cautious when approaching sick or dead seabirds. The public can reach out for assistance to the organization's volunteer-staffed Bird HelpLine: 1-866-SOS-BIRD (866-767-2473).
