What typically causes an algae bloom?

An algae bloom is primarily triggered by the presence of excessive nutrients in the water, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients can come from various sources, including agricultural runoff, wastewater discharge, and stormwater runoff. When nutrient levels become too high, they can lead to rapid growth and proliferation of algae in aquatic environments, resulting in a bloom.

In aquatic ecosystems, when algae blooms occur, they can create several problems such as reduced water quality, decreased oxygen levels, and harmful effects on aquatic life, including fish and other organisms. Understanding the relationship between nutrient loading and algae growth is crucial for effective management of water bodies and maintaining ecological balance.

Other factors such as water temperature, predator fish populations, or sunlight penetration can influence aquatic ecosystems, but they are not the primary causes of algae blooms. Instead, it is the abundance of nutrients that drives the excessive algal growth associated with blooms.