Diatom of the Month August 2019 - Diatom blooms and their effects on human health
Diatom blooms and their effects on human health by Kyle Scotese* Humans have long benefited from algae in many ways; from breathing the oxygen released during photosynthesis or consuming algae and organisms that feed on algae, to using their components and extracts in everything from foods to fuels, medicines and cosmetics. However, as Paracelsus wisely said, "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison, the dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison". While algae are not a problem per se, too many algae can be an issue, just like too much sugar in our diet may negatively impact our health. Many types of algae, including cyanobacteria, dinoflagellates and diatoms, can generate massive populations with densities greater than 15,000,000 cells per liter, stretching for hundreds or even thousands of square kilometers in water bodies (Bates, Garrison, Horner, 1998) . These blooms can proliferate and dieback in a matter of days or return seasona...