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All around the world, a tiny organism 

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is causing a big problem. 

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These life forms are called cyanobacteria,

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and they are growing in abundance.


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While normal amounts are an important part of

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of the food web, under the right conditions, 

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these organisms can wreak havoc on ecosystems …

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It often starts when excess nutrients flow into a body of water.    

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This, combined with warm waters

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and lots of sunshine,

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create just right conditions for an algal bloom. 

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These blooms can release 

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harmful toxins into the water that - when touched or consumed -

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can cause sickness and even death.

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As our climate continues to warm,

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these toxic blooms may become more and more common.

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The good news?

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We can use satellites to measure water color

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that can indicate if a bloom is present.

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This helps water managers know where they should test

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for harmful toxins. 

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NASA and our partners are developing tools

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so that anyone can access this data to check 

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the status of their local lakes and reservoirs.  

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Clean freshwater is important for recreation and health. 

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NASA helps track that water from space

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so that we can continue to enjoy this vital resource.