Aquatic Pollution and Coastal Management

Unit 11 : Monitoring and control of pollution

11.10.3.Algae
Algal growth is dependent on sunlight and nutrient concentrations. An abundance of algae is indicative of nutrient pollution
Algae are sensitive to some pollutants at levels which may not visibly affect other organisms in the short-term or may affect other communities at higher concentrations.

Advantages

• Algae have very short life cycles and rapid reproduction. This can also be a disadvantage.
• Algae tend to be most directly affected by physical and chemical environmental factors.
• Sampling is easy and inexpensive, requires few people and minimally impacts other organisms.
• Standard methods exist.