AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Harmful algal blooms, dead zones, and fish kills are the results of a process called eutrophication-which occurs when the environment becomes enriched with nutrients, increasing the amount of plant and algae growth to estuaries and coastal waters.

Detailed explanation-2: -Algal blooms are dense layers of tiny green plants that occur on the surface of lakes and other bodies of water when there is an overabundance of nutrients (primarily phosphorus) on which algae depend. This effect is called eutrophication.

Detailed explanation-3: -Eutrophication leads to an increased algal growth (because the level of nutrients increases). It can lead to a shift in species composition to fast growing algae species (including toxic species) and a shift from long lived macroalgae to more nuisance species.

Detailed explanation-4: -Under the right conditions, algae may grow out of control-and a few of these “blooms” produce toxins that can kill fish, mammals and birds, and may cause human illness or even death in extreme cases.

Detailed explanation-5: -Harmful algal blooms contain cyanobacteria that can cause skin irritation, gastrointestinal illnesses, and in some cases, produce toxins that cause serious health impacts to people, livestock, and pets.