Tag Archives: algal blooms

The Changing Colours of the Arabian Gulf: A Grim Ecological Warning

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The shifting colours of the Arabian Gulf are more than a visual spectacle — they are warning signals of profound ecological change. Ocean colour reflects the delicate balance between sunlight, plankton, sediments, and nutrients, yet rising sea surface temperatures are disrupting this equilibrium. The unusual phytoplankton blooms are transforming the Gulf into a hotspot of environmental stress, intensifying concerns for marine ecosystems and coastal communities. The Arabian Sea hosts one of the world’s largest oxygen minimum zones, spanning nearly 3.9 million km², underscoring the vulnerability of the region to further decline. This article explores the drivers behind these changes in … Continue reading →

How Algal Blooms Affect The Environment

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Algal blooms are thick layers of small green plants that appear on the surface of lakes and other water bodies due to excess nutrients, especially phosphorus and nitrogen. This covering on the surface of lakes and other water bodies is known as eutrophication. The excess level of nutrients that algae depend on results from human activities that cause pollution, such as fertilizer, wastewater, manure, and sewage runoff. Eutrophication can also be a natural occurrence from moderate accumulation of organic matter, silt, nutrients, and sediments gradually from the watershed. Algae come in different colors ranging from green, red, yellow, and brown. … Continue reading →