Toxic (Harmful) Algal Blooms:

Ecology, Drivers, Detection and Impacts

Abstract

Toxic algal blooms (TABs), also known as harmful algal-blooms (HABs), are proliferations of toxin-producing cyanobacteria and micro algae in freshwater and marine ecosystems. These blooms, exacerbated by nutrient enrichment and climate change, release potent toxins such as microcystins, saxitoxins, anatoxins, cylindrospermopsin, brevetoxins, domoic acid, and okadaic acid, which threaten human and animal health, aquatic biodiversity, and socio-economic stability. TABs compromise drinking water, fisheries, aquaculture, irrigation, and recreation. Advances in detection—including molecular tools, remote sensing, and predictive modeling—support early warning and mitigation. This review summarizes current knowledge on TAB taxonomy, toxin classes, environmental drivers, detection and monitoring, ecological and health impacts, management strategies and future research directions.