Algal blooms and their effects In recent years, due to warming waters, a type of toxic algae called Pseudo-nitzschia has bloomed. This toxic algae affects marine life, especially marine mammals such as sea lions, which die of brain diseases after feeding on this algae. This research paper will provide the reader with a conclusion on the causes of algal blooms and how we can prevent it. Pseudo-nitzschia is a type of algae that produces a very potent neurotoxin called domoic acid, which can accumulate in many types of marine environments. animals causing death or serious illness. Humans who consume the infected animals can also be affected and as a result risk contracting amnesic shellfish poisoning, a disease that can cause permanent short-term memory loss, severe brain damage or even death in some cases. There are 12 species of Pseudo-nitzschia that produce domoic acids, which are found throughout the world. Pseudo-nitzschia can grow in almost any environment. As it is able to withstand salinity levels between 6 and 48, in addition to its ability to survive temperatures between 5 and 30 degrees Celsius. These toxic algae have proliferated extremely rapidly in recent years. One reason is warming waters. Water warming is a phenomenon that has increased significantly in the last 20 years. The main reason this is happening is global warming: as planet Earth warms, its oceans warm too. As some types of pollution damage our atmosphere, our natural protection from the sun weakens and as a result the Earth warms over time, affecting the temperature of our seas. The unfortunate results of global warming and the co...... middle of paper ......algal blooms. In conclusion, the cause of these algal blooms is warming waters and excess nutrients in the water. It can be prevented by creating laws or making changes to animals' habitat. Work Cited: Los Angeles Times, Altered Oceans: Sentinels Under Attack. July 31, 2006. By Kenneth R. Weiss “Pseudo-nitzschia” by Thessen, Anne http://diatoms.lifedesks.org/pages/990Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: “harmful algal Blooms” July 24, 2012. Bay Aquarium Monterey Research Institute: “Pseudo-nitzschia Toxins” by Jennifer Shin, 1999. http://www.mbari.org/staff/conn/botany/diatoms/jennifer/toxin.htmDepartment of Primary Industries “What Causes Algal Blooms?” 24 September 2009 http://www.water.nsw.gov.au/Water-Management/Water-quality/Algal-information/What-causes-algal-blooms/What-causes-algal-blooms/default.aspx