Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes

Running head: HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
Harmful Algal Blooms in the Great Lakes
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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
Introduction:
Among the various ecological issues that are representing themselves, the algal bloom
can be defined as the most significant one. Algal bloom can be defined as the rapid and
uncontrolled growth of the algal and cyanobacteria species in the water bodies, which in turn
can result in the appearance of a coloured scum on the surface of the water. The rapid
multiplication of the different algal species in the water which in turn accumulates in the
fresh and marine water systems (1). The algal bloom is recognized by the discoloration of the
water body due to the pigments of the varied
range of the algal species overpopulating the
water surface. Although, cyanobacteria are
largely mistaken to be algae, the cyanobacteria
bloom is not considered to be an algal bloom,
although it leads to similar impacts (2). It has to
be mentioned in this context, the impact of an algal bloom can be delimiting the on the
ecosystem of the water body that it is affecting. Hence, undoubtedly, algal bloom has a huge
deleterious impact on the water bodies, delivering both ecological and financial impact. As a
result, there is a deliberating need for characterizing the harmful impact of the harmful
impact of algal blooms and explore new strategies to be recommended to control the rapid
growth of the harmful algal blooms to protect the quality of the water body (3). This essay
will discuss in detail the harmful algal bloom, the different factors that contribute to
appearance of the harmful algal blooms, the threats of harmful algal blooms and lastly,
interventions and recommendations.
Algal bloom:
Algae and cyanobacteria are the normal composition of the most of the aquatic
ecosystems, including lakes, rivers, and oceans. Algae and cyanobacteria, which are also

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
known as blue green algae or BGA, are the prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms which are
present in abundance in the ecosystems. These organisms are photosynthetic and can produce
their own food from sunlight, making them the primary producers of the ecosystem. Algae
serves an imperative role in a variety of ecosystems, providing both food and shelter to
different species of aquatic faunae (4). However, in certain cases, there are certain toxic
algae or cyanobacteria species present and
overpopulating the water body. This condition
is referred to as the “algal blooms”, which in
turn can be harmful for the ecosystem. There
are a variety of factors that contribute to the
development of an algal blooms, these factors
include limiting nutrients, climate change, and pollution.
For instance, the deleterious impact of the harmful algal bloom includes fish die-offs,
cities cutting off water to residents, or states having to close fisheries (2). The presence of an
algal bloom can also block the entry of sunlight in the water body for the rest of the
organisms, which in turn can lead to depleted oxygen levels for the water body, eventually
deleteriously impacting the whole
ecosystem of the water body. Along
with that, it also needs to be
acknowledged in this context, that
certain algal and cyanobacteria species
are also toxic, elaborating more in this
context, certain species in the algal
bloom can also release toxins in the

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HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN THE GREAT LAKES
water body, in turn affecting the water quality irreversibly and making the ecosystem of the
water body uninhabitable for the rest of the organisms (5).
The algal bloom in the great lakes:
The biodiversity of the algal
blooms can be eccentric, involving a
myriad of species and genera, and for
each subtype, it is crucial for the
ecologists and marine biologists to have a
clear ideation regarding the exact kinds of species and genera found, so that targeted steps
can be taken to ensure controlling each of the species that are affecting the water quality and
the ecosystem of the water bodies. The focus of this assay is on the algal blooms affecting the
great lakes, located on the Canada-United States border.
The great lakes connecting the Canada with the United States is a significant
geographical location which has a strong impact on the local culture and the economy of the
people. On a more elaborative note, it has to be mentioned that the great lakes are a
significant resource to the economy and culture of the entire area, the lake provides the
people of the area with drinking water, recreational activities, and tourism. It is needed to be
discussed in this context that the water bodies of
the great lakes are also inhabited by a wide range
of faunae, including migratory and resident birds.
It is needed to be discussed in this context that
20% of the entire world’s fresh water is supplied
from the great lake, hence, the presence of a
harmful algal bloom in the great lakes can impact
all of the mentioned benefits provided by the lake