Macroalgal Blooms: Causes and Impacts

Macroalgae are a natural and effective component in fresh water, coastal waters and estuaries, which are mainly useful in aquatic ecosystems. They are a source of nutrition for herbivoreand detrital food webs and are also an important habitat for fish and invertebrates. If macroalgae overgrow in an ecosystem, they can cause macroalgae blooms. In this review, an introduction about macroalgae, especially coastal macroalgae and their types, is given. After that, the factors causing macroalgae bloom as well as adsorption of nutrients and other contaminants by macroalgae have been investigated. The effects that macroalgal blooms can have on human health have also been reviewed. In addition, macroalgae can have many ecosystem and ecological effects. These effects as well as economic effects have also been investigated. Finally, predictions about the future of these macroalgal blooms are also reviewed.