A Harmful Algal Bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system that leads to harmful/detrimental effects in aquatic life and humans, usually through oxygen depletion and toxin release.
Defintion submitted by: Catelyn Van Veen
Harmful Algal Blooms occur when toxin-producing algae experience excessive growth within bodies of water. These blooms have the potential to cause detrimental effects on both aquatic and human health and can sometimes even cause death, depending on the type of algae involved (NIEHS, 2021). Thanks to the use of space-based remote sensing technology to monitor water quality conditions in coastal areas and drinking water reservoirs, nations are becoming more aware of the quality of their water.
