Algal Blooms, Toxic or Tame?

(Spring Algal Bloom, Me-Kwa-Mooks Park, Seattle, Wa, USA)

Algal Blooms, A Synopsis:
An algal bloom occurs when there is a high abundance of microscopic phytoplankton suspended in the water column. Phytoplankton fall into two categories: diatoms, calciferous plated photoautotrophs without individual means of locomotion, and dinoflagellates, microscopic algae with propelling flagella. These photosynthesising organisms are the very basis of the aquatic food web providing the link between atomic elements and subsequent consumers (copepods, fish, humans, etc). Primary producers are responsible for most of the available dissolved oxygen in the water column and thus they provide a habitable environment for creatures that respire oxygen. The two factors that most affect algae population growth are the availability of light and nutrients. Phytoplankton "bloom" in spring and summer as daylight hours increase allowing for a greater period of photosynthesis. While most blooms cause minimal negative impact if there is an overabundance of available nutrients, known as eutrophication, in the water column this can cause the bloom to multiply so fast that the sheer mass of micro-algae blocks light penetration which can inhibit the solar energy absorption of other photosynthetic organisms. This high concentration of micro algae can also induce low oxygen conditions in bodies of water due to a lack of secondary predation. The decomposing remains of dead algae increase the activity of  bacterial decomposers that use up the remaining oxygen inducing low oxygen zones. These zones are known to experience fish kills and low diversity volume considering how few species can persist with low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Some species of algae cause respiratory problems for fish as the algae concentrated water is flushed through the gills. These algae often have spiny shapes that cause small cuts and accumulations of algae in the gills.
Impacts of Algal Blooms on Humans:
As low oxygen zones become more prevalent the decrease of biodiversity can impact commercially important fisheries. These fish kills can also affect areas that rely on tourism as their economic means. Some algal blooms produce toxins that can have serious human health affects if ingested. Not only does shellfish poisoning cause illness, but in some cases deaths. This can impact economically important bivalve fisheries, as well. The species of Karenia brevis is known to cause respiratory irritation in  humans due to the inhalation of an aerosol created by the bloom. Aphanizomenon flow-aquae species of algae blooms in Upper Klamath Lake, Oregon during the summer months where it is harvested by humans and used as a dietary supplement. The genus of spirulina algae is another phytoplankton harvested and cultivated by humans as a dietary supplement.
Human Impacts on Algal Blooms:
The biggest anthropogenic impact on algal blooms in the increase of land runoff. Many nutrients, such as, nitrogen and iron are in very limited supply in the ocean even though these are extremely abundant on land. Even with the much higher concentration of these nutrients on land some areas are heavily supplemented with additional nutrients to increase plant growth. Farms and lawns are two heavily fertilised areas that when watered the excess water runoff takes the same nutrients into the watershed and, ultimately, to the ocean where they begin their second life by increasing the growth of aquatic algae. Sewage runoff from human outputs, septic tank overflow and animal farming add a similar abundance of nutrients to the watershed and produce the same nutrient loaded results.

Citations:

Eutrophication and harmful algal blooms: A scientific consensus

The diversity of harmful algal blooms: a challenge for science and management

Coastal marine eutrophication: A definition, social causes and future concerns

Eutrophication, toxic cyanobacteria and cyanotoxins: when ecosystems cry for help

Gill lesions and mortality in seawater pen-reared Atlantic salmon Salmo salar associated with a dense bloom of Skeletonema costatum and Thalassiosira species

(Mt. Rainier over the Port of Tacoma, Wa, USA)

(Staircase, Hood Canal, Wa, USA)

Spring Time Hiking Awaits

Where is your trail taking you? (Mt. Elinor, Wa, USA)

Environmental Stewardship, or Future Planning

"Sustainability is the capacity to endure."

Stewardship is a concept of resource management and forward planning. A complete, encompassing responsibility wherein one must meet and anticipate the needs and demands of one's titular holdings. Sustainable environmental stewardship is a challenging goal; certainly, too great a task to undertake solely. It is an activity where everyone is a suitable participant. Available to individuals of all ages and abilities. Encouraging natural diversity requires the talents of many varied individuals to ensure success.  The guidelines are simple: Be a conscious and respectful participant in life.  Environmental stewardship is an idea that transcends creed with a unanimous interest in the well-being of future-earth, as well as, the inhabitants of future-earth. Small choices manifest substantial changes over the course of a lifetime. Actively pursuing environmental quality readily lends itself to a rewarding, satisfying life. 

Suggested Activities:

    

Know where you live- Hike, bike, walk, birdwatch, Beach comb, snorkel, dive, swim, kayak. Find an enjoyable way to experience where you live and go all out. 

Meet your neighbours- find different insects, animals and plants that inhabit your area. Bonus points if you learn their names. 

Get educated- Take a guided hike, visit a zoo or an aquarium, volunteer. When did dinosaurs last live here or was there miles of ice over where your house rests today? 

Share the wealth- Find a friend, take the kids/parents out, talk to a stranger. 

And above all else, this is the only present you have and now is the time for fun! 

Haliaeetus leucocephalus

A convocation of Haliaeetus leucocephalus observed on San Juan Island, Wa, USA 

5 April 2012 Roatán, Honduras

Juvenile Spotted Drumfish  

Small efforts create a big difference!

Plastics. A problematic issue when viewed from the perspective of the world's oceans and organisms therein. Plastic is cheap to produce and humans everywhere use it. The problem is not necessarily the use of plastic, but rather the refuse of it. So in the spirit of reducing plastic waste on beaches and reefs, we have compiled a short list of helpful suggestions:

1) Whenever possible avoid plastic that has been created only to become trash. Examples: food wrappers, disposable eating utensils, water bottles, grocery bags, any unnecessary plastic wrapping.

2) Reuse plastic items. Creative repurposing is an interesting and popular way to reduce plastic waste. Sites, such as, Pinterest and Instructables offer thousands of ideas.

3) When buying plastic objects try to find durable pieces that will last for a long time. This helps to increase the length of time intervals between replacement or buy a non-plastic longer lasting item instead.

4) Recycle. Enough said.

5) When enjoying local nature habitats removing and recycling trash creates a tangible good impact towards preservation. And the best part is everyone can do it! Heading out for a day at the beach? Bring garbage bags for your own refuse and if possible pick up some of the trash that has been left behind by others.


These actions go a long way towards preserving the wonderful habitat of Earth. And even if you only do it once it awhile every little bit counts as a step in the right direction.

Sunset from the eastern side of the Cascade Mountain Range.

Too much of a good thing? It is possible.

This article outlines and discusses the varied effects of anthropogenically sourced nutrient loading to coastal environments. From farming to fertilising the lawn, these power packed essentials that promise to raise vibrant life can have unintended consequences to ecosystems near and far. What nourishes photosynthetic terrestrial organisms nourishes the marine equivalent. Many nutrients needed for photosynthetic life occur in lesser concentrations in oceanic ecosystems. Nutrient runoff from land is a vital contribution to coastal productivity, but as the title implies, how much runoff is too much?