Why Are Algae Blooms a Concern?
Algae blooms are growing more frequent in water bodies around the United States, from drinking water reservoirs to lakes where families enjoy boating and swimming. While algae themselves are natural and found almost everywhere, certain conditions make them produce toxins that are harmful to humans and animals. Researchers are warning that this uptick is connected to climate change, which means that we could be facing a growing public health issue.
What Causes Algae to Become Toxic?
These algae, scientifically known as cyanobacteria, prefer warm, stagnant water. They are usually harmless, but when they flourish, they can produce a variety of toxins. The consequences of exposure to these toxins range from mild sickness to severe health impacts like liver damage and even potential long-term diseases. Wayne Carmichael, a retired professor who specializes in studying these organisms, explained, “When water bodies warm up earlier and stay warmer longer, you increase the number of incidents.”
Climate Change as a Catalyst
A groundbreaking 2017 study led by Steven Chapra, an environmental engineering professor at Tufts University, highlighted that the frequency and intensity of these harmful algae blooms are directly related to climate change. Higher temperatures, frequent droughts, and more intense rainfall contribute to creating the ideal conditions for algae to thrive. For example, warmer temperatures and droughts make water reservoirs shallower and warmer, providing a perfect breeding ground for cyanobacteria.
What Are the Health Risks?
While high doses of these toxins have led to liver damage and neurological issues, less is understood about the long-term effects of lower doses. Some smaller studies suggest links between these toxins and liver cancer, as well as neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s. However, these links are not yet conclusive and require further research.
The Nationwide and Global Impact
This isn’t a regional problem; it’s a nationwide and potentially global concern. In Utah, a 2016 algae bloom affected a lake used for recreation, leading to more than 100 people falling ill. Similarly, Lake Erie faced a massive bloom in 2014, which left over 400,000 people in Toledo, Ohio, without a primary water source for more than two days. Utah and Ohio now face annual blooms. Other states like New York, Florida, and California have also reported similar incidents.
Policy and Precautionary Measures
Although the situation appears to be worsening, one of the challenges is that currently, there is no federal or state requirement for routine testing for algae blooms. Many experts argue that such laws need to be enacted to safeguard public health. Chapra warns that what we are witnessing now is akin to “the canary in the coal mine,” suggesting that the situation will likely escalate.
How Can We Adapt?
Researchers are urging immediate action. Authorities should implement more stringent water testing regulations and warning systems. Communities can also contribute by limiting the use of nitrogen and phosphorous-rich fertilizers, which when washed into water bodies, further encourage algae growth. Public awareness campaigns are essential to educate people about the risk of swimming or fishing in infected waters.
A Collective Challenge
In conclusion, harmful algae blooms pose a complex and growing threat that involves environmental, public health, and policy challenges. However, by recognizing that the issue is exacerbated by climate change, implementing policy reforms, and encouraging community participation, we can begin to tackle this impending crisis effectively.
As we face a future with a warming climate, it’s crucial that we consider the ripple effects on our ecosystem. The increased frequency and intensity of harmful algae blooms are one such example, and it’s imperative for research and policy to evolve as well as environmental laboratories to monitor closely the harmful algae blooms’ situations accordingly to protect public health.
