Nitrogen blamed for toxic algae

02 August 1999

Nitrogen blamed for toxic algae

GROWING agricultural pollution is responsible for increasing numbers of toxic algal blooms that are threatening Britains coastlines, scientists have warned.

Over-used of nitrogen-rich fertilisers – combined with the effects of global warming – are behind a host of recent seaweed blooms around the south-west coast, including a colony so large it is visible from space.

The most recent outbreak has seen the return of the red-tide bloom at Fal Estuary.

Dr Martin Angel, a marine scientist who advises Ospar, which monitors algal blooms in European Union waters, said they becoming common because of nitrogen and phosphate fertiliser run-offs into the water courses.

Since 1991 the Environment Agency has recorded a steady rise in the number of algal blooms.

• The Independent 02/08/99 page 7