Cyanobacterial Blooms Such as Those Shown in the Figure Below

Question

Cyanobacterial blooms such as those shown in the figure below are typically due to human-caused 
A) antibiotic resistance. 
B) warming. 
C) oxygenation. 
D) salinity increase. 
E) eutrophication.

Accepted Answer

Cyanobacterial blooms, also known as harmful algal blooms, are generally caused by eutrophication, which is the excessive buildup of nutrients in water bodies such as nitrogen and phosphorus. These nutrients come from sources such as agricultural runoff, sewage, and fertilizer runoff, among others. When there is an excess of these nutrients, it can lead to a rapid growth of algae and cyanobacteria, resulting in blooms. These blooms can pose a threat to aquatic life, as well as human health if the water is consumed or comes into contact with skin.