HABs may be caused for the following reasons:

1. Just like humans need food, algae also need food to grow. Their foods are organic food molecules from carbon di oxide and sunlight. They also take in nitrogen, phosphorus, carbon, silica and other micronutrients. Sometimes, there’s too much food in the water, like extra nutrients from fertilizer used on farms or in gardens. These nutrients, like nitrogen and phosphorus, get washed into rivers, lakes, or oceans when it rains. With so much extra food, algae grow much faster than normal, causing an algal bloom. This results in HABs. (Rain picture animated, farmer picture)
2. Algae love warm water. Algae grow faster in warmer water, so when the weather gets hot or the water heats up, it helps the algae grow more than usual. This is why algal blooms are more common in summer when the temperatures are higher.
3. Algae can bloom more easily when the water isn’t moving much. Like in a pond or a lake, algae can grow faster because they’re not being washed away by waves or currents.
4. Like all plants, algae need sunlight to grow. If the water is shallow or clear, sunlight can reach the algae, helping them grow faster. Blooms often happen near the surface, where there’s plenty of light.

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) can cause a lot of problems for both people and animals. Here are some of the main impacts:

1. Water Unsafe:
   Some algae in harmful blooms produce poisons, which can make the water dangerous to drink, swim in, or even touch. If people or animals come into contact with the water, they can get sick, with things like stomachaches, rashes, or breathing problems.
2. Create oxygen shortage:
   Like most plants, many algae produce oxygen during the daylight as a by-product of photosynthesis. At night these algae consume oxygen but not as much as the oxygen they produced. When they are in huge number, the algae use up all the oxygen in the water, so fish and other creatures don’t have enough to breathe. Some animals can also eat the algae and get poisoned.
3. Smelly Water:
   Harmful algal blooms can make the water smell really bad. As the algae grow and die, they give off a strong, unpleasant odor, which can make it hard for people to enjoy being near the water.
4. Blocks sunlight:
   When HABs take over, they block sunlight from reaching underwater plants. This can harm the plants and other animals that rely on those plants for food and shelter.
5. Affects Fishing and Swimming:
   If there’s a harmful algal bloom, people can’t go fishing or swimming because the water is unsafe. This can also hurt businesses, like fishers who rely on clean water to catch fish.

Few ways to help stop or reduce harmful algal blooms (HABs) and keep water safe:

1. Use Less Fertilizer:
   Farmers and gardeners can use less fertilizer on their crops and lawns. Since fertilizers contain nutrients that feed algae, using less helps stop algae from growing too fast.
2. eep Water Clean:
   People can help by making sure trash, chemicals, and sewage don’t get into rivers, lakes, or oceans. Keeping water clean helps prevent algae from getting too much food.
3. Plant Trees and Plants Near Water:
   Plants and trees help soak up extra nutrients before they get into the water. Planting them along rivers, lakes, or ponds can reduce the chance of algal blooms.
4. Pick Up Pet Waste:
   When it rains, pet waste can wash into lakes and rivers, adding extra nutrients to the water that help algae grow. Picking up after pets helps keep these nutrients out of the water.
5. Monitor Water Quality:
   Scientists can watch the water carefully using tools like NASA PACE Spacecraft to detect algal blooms early. If they know when a bloom is starting, they can take action faster to reduce its impact.