2024 Phytoplankton Blooms and Red Tides

Floating, plant-like organisms reproduce abundantly when there are sufficient nutrients, sunlight, and water conditions. Extreme blooms of certain species can become harmful to marine animals and humans.
Pyramid Lake in Bloom
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Pyramid Lake in Bloom

Blooms of cyanobacteria develop in the brackish waters of this Nevada lake nearly every year.

Published Oct 17, 2024

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Lake Erie Blooms
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Lake Erie Blooms

Algal communities flourish in Lake Erie’s western basin each summer. Scientists are looking to new NASA technology to better track them from space.

Published Sep 5, 2024

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Bright Blues in the Barents
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Bright Blues in the Barents

These shallow Arctic waters frequently produce phytoplankton blooms spanning hundreds of kilometers in the summer.

Published Aug 12, 2024

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Clear Lake Clouded by Algae
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Clear Lake Clouded by Algae

The nutrient-loaded Northern California lake turned green with algal growth in spring 2024.

Published May 28, 2024

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Colorful Celtic Sea
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Colorful Celtic Sea

Satellites captured an expansive blue and green phytoplankton bloom in the waters off France.

Published May 14, 2024

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Complex Beauty in the Gulf of Oman
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Complex Beauty in the Gulf of Oman

NASA’s newest Earth science satellite captured a striking image of swirling bands of phytoplankton.

Published May 7, 2024

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Filaments of Phytoplankton in Australia
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Filaments of Phytoplankton in Australia

Cool, upwelling water supports an array of marine life and draws the occasional filmmaker to the Bonney Coast region.

Published Jan 12, 2024

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