It’s summer. It’s hot. And algae blooms are everywhere…

From Burlington, VT to Windsor, CO, USA, and northern Italy to the Baltic Sea, algae blooms have become the norm around the globe – not the exception. Even in one of the most recognized bodies of water in the US – the Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC – algae blooms have become a major problem.

Harmful algae blooms
Harmful algae blooms (HABs) occur when too many algae are present, and they become toxic to the ecosystem within which it exists. HABs in fresh water typically consist of cyanobacteria, or commonly referred to as blue-green algae. Conversely, HABs in ocean water are caused by different types of phytoplankton, and worsen with increased water temperatures and the presence of increased nutrients from run off along the shoreline. HABs are becoming more frequent, as reported by the US EPA, and will continue this trend as the impacts of climate change continue to exacerbate the root cause of HABs around the world.

Nutrient pollution
There are a number of factors that help fuel harmful algae blooms, and increased water temperatures are certainly one of the primary culprits. But nutrient pollution is the primary problem that has led to the increased occurrence of algae blooms. Naturally occurring nutrients (primarily nitrogen and phosphorus) at normal, balanced levels in the ocean, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water are healthy, as they support the growth of algae and aquatic plants. These plants in turn provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish, and smaller organisms that live in the water. Too much nitrogen and phosphorus create what is referred to as nutrient pollution.

Why is nutrient pollution a problem?
Nutrient pollution, created by excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorus in bodies of water, typically originates from fertilizer or waste runoff from factory farming, and industrial and municipal wastewater treatment plants. These increased levels of nutrients can deteriorate water quality, as algae can grow rapidly, reducing or even eliminating the oxygen supply (causing dead zones) and reducing the exposure to sunlight. Nutrient pollution has been exacerbated by climate change, with increased water temperatures (more conducive to algae growth) and bigger storms (heavier rainfall leading to increased erosion leading to a greater influx of nutrients from the runoff). Nutrient pollution leads to habitat damage, loss of aquatic life, drinking water contaminated with toxins and bacteria, and ultimately negative impacts on human health.

What can be done about it?
The story isn’t all doom and gloom, as nutrient pollution is preventable by reducing phosphorus and nitrogen levels at the source. For commercial and industrial applications, Axius Water provides tools to minimize nutrient pollution, with biological nutrient removal (BNR) from Nexom or lagoon systems from their Triplepoint brand, or supplemental carbon solutions from their EOSi brand. And with continued diligence from municipalities, industries, and consumers alike, the tide can be turned. But harmful algae blooms will continue to wreak havoc on the ecosystems in our bodies of water, from our biggest oceans to our smallest rivers and streams, unless we take a serious look at the root cause of HABs and begin to make changes – as if our world depends on it.