STEMMING THE RED TIDE: An Assessment of Control, Mitigation, and Prevention Strategies for Harmful Algal Blooms

Abstract

Algae are essential organisms in healthy aquatic ecosystems, and they form the base of aquatic food webs. However, occasionally large growths of algae called “harmful algal blooms” can develop in freshwater and marine environments and induce a variety of detrimental effects on ecosystem dynamics and economies in affected areas. Due to their negative impacts and their increasing frequency, various federal and state agencies have devoted resources to developing frameworks and strategies to assist in the control, mitigation, and prevention of these harmful algal blooms, often referred to as HABs. Unfortunately, many of these frameworks lack the procedural specificity that might aid end-users hoping to utilize these strategies. This paper assesses new research and technological advancements that can provide a more detailed picture of HAB control, mitigation, and prevention strategies in current frameworks.