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Report: Warmer temperatures could fuel algae blooms

Posted at 5:16 PM, Nov 26, 2018
and last updated 2018-11-27 04:32:04-05

A new federal report highlights the impacts that climate change could have on the U.S.

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It's also mentions toxic algae blooms, like the ones we saw in parts of South Florida earlier this year.

The National Climate Report by 13 federal agencies touches on the subject.

The section titled Water-Related Illnesses and Death reads in part: "Increasing water temperatures associated with climate change are projected to alter the seasonality of growth and the geographic range of harmful algae and coastal pathogens, and runoff from more frequent and intense rainfall is projected to increasingly compromise recreational waters and sources of drinking water through increased introductions of pathogens and toxic algal blooms."

"That warmth during the summer months that's when we see the most cells," said Malcolm McFarland, a research associate at FAU's Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. He said he's not surprised by that report.

"They really like warmer temperatures," said McFarland of harmful algae blooms. "It's going to favor their growth."