Algal Bloom

An algal bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic systems. They occur in freshwater as well as marine environments. A harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurs when algae grow excessively in a body of water. Algal blooms are visible to the naked eye and can be green, blue green, red, or brown, yellowish-brown, bright green depending on the type of algae.

​① The algae are chlorophyll bearing plants. They perform photosynthesis. Algae may be unicellular or multicellular. The plant body is thallus i.e not differentiated into stem, roots, or leaves. (1) The algae are found everywhere.

​Algal bloom is the rapid increase of algal population in freshwater and marine water. They are mainly cause of biotoxins. Due to rapid growth of algae, the colour of water is discolouration. Algal blooms are often called red tide.