Work

State of the Science Fact Sheet: Harmful Algal Blooms

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when algae or cyanobacteria produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. HABs can have adverse effects on human, animal, and ecosystem health, and cause significant economic impacts to coastal communities. Ranging from single-celled microalgae to large seaweeds, algae are photosynthetic organisms that form the base of aquatic food webs. Various types of algae can cause HABs. Only some of these algae produce toxins some of the time. HABs in marine and freshwater environments are different, but can overlap in estuaries (where rivers meet the sea).

Source: NOAA Institutional Repository

DOI: 10.25923/7v35-7953

Author: Broadwater, Maggie

Institutions: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Language: English

Topic: Aquatic Ecosystems and Phytoplankton Dynamics

Subfield: Environmental Chemistry

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Life below water

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W6946109512