Turning the Tide on Toxic Algae
The Growing Crisis
ROOT CAUSE
It's Mostly About Nutrients
70% of nutrient pollution comes from agriculture. Fertilizer runoff — nitrogen and phosphorus — creates ideal conditions for toxic algae to explode in our lakes, rivers, and coastal waters. Climate change intensifies it: heavy storms flush more nutrients into waterways, then droughts and warm temperatures allow HABs to proliferate.
THE CYCLE
- Farm fertilizer
- Runoff into waterways
- Excess nitrogen & phosphorus &
- Algae bloom forms
- Toxins Beach closures + dead zones
NAA’S APPROACH
Source-to-Bloom: A Three-Front Strategy
1. Prevention at Source
Concept: Capture agricultural runoff before it enters waterways. Convert waste nutrients into valuable algae products. Reality: Pilot projects testing on-farm systems. Economic viability at scale still being proven.
2. Early Detection
Concept: Real-time monitoring to detect HABs before they reach toxic levels. Reality: Coverage is limited and expensive. NAA advocates for federal funding to expand monitoring networks nationwide.
3. Safe Remediation
Concept: Treat active HABs without releasing toxins — cell-safe algaecides, biological controls. Reality: Multiple methods in testing. Collaborating with EPA, NOAA, and state agencies.
CALL TO ACTION
Where We Need Help
Funding for Pilot Projects
Testing on-farm algae systems that capture nutrient runoff.
Policy Change
Incentives for farmers to adopt nutrient capture at scale.
Research Collaboration
Partnerships with universities, government labs and private sector.
Public Education
Helping communities to understand HABs.
Join the Fight Against HABs
Whether you’re a researcher, producer, or policymaker — we need you. Together we can turn the tide.