Some species of algae produce toxins that are lethal to fish, or render shellfish and finfish unsafe for consumption. The (taxonomically contentious) dinoflagellates are responsible for red tides, which not only release toxins into the water that may be lethal to aquatic life, but also wind-sprayed toxic cells that can cause health problems for air-breathing organisms.
Are algae toxic?
Why are algae important?
Algae produce up to half of the oxygen in Earth’s atmosphere, and algae help keep carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by storing it. Algae are also the food base for almost all aquatic life, and are economically important as a source of crude oil and as sources of food and a number of pharmaceutical and industrial products for humans.
