Harmful Algae Bloom

Harmful algal blooms are algal bloom events involving toxic or otherwise harmful phytoplankton such as dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium and Karenia, or diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia.


Two common causes are nutrient enrichment and warm waters. Many different types of phytoplankton are responsible are HABs. 

Lowering the nutrients, light and temperature available to the blue-green algae in the water supply will help reduce algal growth.

A single red tide event in the Gulf Coast of Florida costs about $20 million, including losses to the tourism industry, hotel/motel suppliers, commercial fisheries, and local governments for the expense of beach cleanup.