What Causes Toxic Algal Blooms?
Photo Above: Voight, Amy E. "Area Hog Farm Could be Area's Third Largest." Toledo Blade. 22 February 2016.
Eutrophication
noun eu·tro·phi·ca·tion \yü-ˌtrō-fə-ˈkā-shən, ˌyü-trə-fə-\
Definition of eutrophication
noun eu·tro·phi·ca·tion \yü-ˌtrō-fə-ˈkā-shən, ˌyü-trə-fə-\
Definition of eutrophication
- : the process by which a body of water becomes enriched in dissolved nutrients (such as phosphates) that stimulate the growth of aquatic plant life usually resulting in the depletion of dissolved oxygen
Algae blooms are natural, but runoff of nutrients such as phosphorus and nitrogen from a combination of point and non-point sources feed the algae and allow it to proliferate far beyond natural levels. Scientists believe, however, that the heaviest contributors of nitrogen and phosphorus are surrounding agricultural lands that use phosphorus and nitrogen for fertilizer, and which is produced in the waste of livestock (Dolan, Toledo Blade). The algae is further aided by warm temperatures in the spring time, weak winds and heavy rains (Michalak, et al).
Heavy rains allow for more runoff to be carried into the lake, weak winds allow the nutrients to remain stagnant, and warm temperatures provide further encouragement for their growth.
Further, amount of phosphorus applied on farm fields in the spring can determine the severity of a bloom in late summer (Wetzel 1988; Thornton etal 1990; Burkholder 2000).
Heavy rains allow for more runoff to be carried into the lake, weak winds allow the nutrients to remain stagnant, and warm temperatures provide further encouragement for their growth.
Further, amount of phosphorus applied on farm fields in the spring can determine the severity of a bloom in late summer (Wetzel 1988; Thornton etal 1990; Burkholder 2000).
Source: "What causes killer algae?," SciTech Now, 14 Apr 2015.