Bakit walang lumot sa Boracay pag tag-ulan at madami pag summer?

Algal blooms in coastal areas, lakes, and rivers are widely recognized as indicators of nutrient pollution, primarily driven by excessive inputs of nitrogen , phosphorus (P), and, to a lesser extent, potassium (K) (Paerl et al., 2016). These nutrients act as fertilizers, promoting the rapid growth of algae in the same way they support terrestrial plant growth. Eutrophication, the process by which water bodies become enriched with nutrients, is a key driver of these blooms (Smith & Schindler, 2009).

Algal proliferation is particularly pronounced during the summer months due to increased solar radiation, which fuels photosynthesis, and higher temperatures that accelerate metabolic and reproductive rates in algae (Paerl & Otten, 2013). Warmer conditions also contribute to water stratification, trapping nutrients in the upper layers where algae thrive. Additionally, reduced water movement in summer allows algal populations to concentrate and grow rapidly (Anderson et al., 2002).

Conversely, during the rainy season, several environmental factors suppress algal growth. Increased cloud cover and reduced sunlight availability limit photosynthetic activity, slowing down the expansion of algal populations (Zhou et al., 2017). Moreover, heavy rainfall introduces large volumes of freshwater into aquatic systems, leading to dilution of nutrient concentrations. Stronger currents and turbulence caused by rainfall also disrupt algal colonies, dispersing them and preventing their accumulation (Le Moal et al., 2019).

Despite the apparent decline in algal blooms during the rainy season, this does not necessarily indicate a reduction in nutrient loading. Nutrients may still be present in the water column or bound in sediments, ready to be released under favorable conditions (Conley et al., 2009). In some cases, rainfall can even contribute to nutrient enrichment by transporting fertilizers, sewage, and organic matter from surrounding areas into water bodies, setting the stage for new algal blooms when conditions become favorable again (Withers & Jarvie, 2008).

Understanding the seasonal dynamics of algal blooms and their relationship with nutrient pollution is critical for developing effective water management strategies and mitigating the ecological and economic impacts of eutrophication.

References:

Anderson, D. M., Glibert, P. M., & Burkholder, J. M. (2002). Harmful algal blooms and eutrophication: Nutrient sources, composition, and consequences. Estuaries, 25(4), 704-726.

Conley, D. J., Paerl, H. W., Howarth, R. W., Boesch, D. F., Seitzinger, S. P., Havens, K. E., … & Likens, G. E. (2009). Controlling eutrophication: Nitrogen and phosphorus. Science, 323(5917), 1014-1015.

Le Moal, M., Gascuel-Odoux, C., Ménesguen, A., Souchon, Y., Étrillard, C., Levain, A., … & Pinay, G. (2019). Eutrophication: A new wine in an old bottle? Science of the Total Environment, 651, 1-11.

Paerl, H. W., & Otten, T. G. (2013). Harmful cyanobacterial blooms: Causes, consequences, and controls. Microbial Ecology, 65, 995-1010.

Paerl, H. W., Xu, H., Hall, N. S., Zhu, G., Qin, B., Wu, Y., … & Rossignol, K. L. (2016). Controlling cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophic lakes: The need for a dual nutrient (N & P) reduction strategy. Water Research, 95, 2-12.

Smith, V. H., & Schindler, D. W. (2009). Eutrophication science: Where do we go from here? Trends in Ecology & Evolution, 24(4), 201-207.

Withers, P. J., & Jarvie, H. P. (2008). Delivery and cycling of phosphorus in rivers: A review. Science of the Total Environment, 400(1-3), 379-395.

Zhou, Y., Jeppesen, E., Zhang, Y., Wang, J., Cao, X., Orwin, K. H., … & Liu, Z. (2017). Can macrophyte-derived oxygen influence summer phytoplankton growth? Freshwater Biology, 62(3), 426-