Harmful Algae Likes It Hot, Hot

This is the title of a new song out from Chris Brown. Just kidding. But it is the topic of an article in Science this week. Harmful algae blooms, as the name suggests, are harmful. They can kill fish and produce toxins, which can cause serious and occasionally fatal human diseases. Nutrient overenrichment of waters by urban, agricultural, and industrial development are most often seen as the culprits behind these blooms but rising temperatures also seem to facilitate the rise of slime.

Rising temperatures favor cyanobacteria [harmful algae] in several ways. Cyanobacteria generally grow better at higher temperatures (often above 25C) than do other phytoplankton species such as diatoms and green algae. This gives cyanobacteria a competitive advantage at elevated temperatures. Warming of surface waters also strengthens the vertical stratification of lakes, reducing vertical mixing.

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