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3 Cards in this Set
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- Back
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Algal Bloom
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The rapid growth of a population of algae.
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Red Tides
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An algal bloom that occurs in salt water. Red tides are dangerous when the toxins that the algae produce become concentrated in the bodies of organisms that consume the algae.
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Eutrophication
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The buildup over time of nutrients (such as nitrogen and phosphorous) in freshwater lakes and ponds that leads to an increase in the growth of the algae. This can be caused by chemicals that run off into nearby lakes and ponds. This can also be caused by leaks from septic systems that leak into soil and eventually get into lakes and ponds. The rapid growth of algae in a pond or lake triggers a series of events with serious consequences. First, the layer of algae prevents sunlight from reaching plants and other algae beneath the surface. Those organisms die and sink to the bottom. Then organisms, such as bacteria, which break down the bodies of the dead plants and algae, increase in number. The bacteria use up the oxygen and water. Fish and other organisms in the water die without the oxygen they need to survive. About the only life that survives is the algae on the surface. Algal blooms in fresh water are easier to control than those in salt water because they have definite boundaries.
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