Harmful Algae and the Blooming of Our Waters

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are an age-old phenomenon, but they are increasing in frequency, extent, and impacts in many marine, estuarine, and freshwaters. Eutrophication and climate change are two important contributing factors. This chapter reviews blooms and their harmful and toxic properties and effects on food webs across different habitats, why their distribution has changed and is changing, and several biomes in the ocean where HABs are commonly observed.