Editing Cape Cod Bay (section)

=== Harmful Algal and Cyanobacteria blooms ===
Pollution's effects have already been seen in our coastal waters. Excess nutrient input from both point and non-point sources leads to high levels of plant growth, in addition to the direct, harmful impacts of pollution. This process, known as eutrophication, is taking place in Cape Cod Bay to some extent. In the bay, excess nutrients originate mainly from human sources and activities, such as waste systems for example.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Why we need clean water |url=https://capecodwaters.org/overview/ |access-date=2022-05-04 |archive-date=2022-05-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220525110400/https://capecodwaters.org/overview/ |url-status=live }}</ref> With the harmful increase of these nutrients comes an increase in algae and bacteria. [[Phaeocystis]] blooms are common in Cape Cod Bay during the spring.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> A bloom of this phytoplankton has far-reaching consequences, including out-competing other beneficial phytoplankton species, impacting zooplankton growth and productivity, and killing off fish species. [[Alexandrium catenella|Alexandrium]], another species found in Cape Cod Bay, is responsible for red tides, which bring in harmful toxins, and has been the cause of death for fish, birds, mammals, and sometimes humans as a result.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Shellfish that consume toxic phytoplankton become hazardous themselves, posing a risk to humans who consume infected shellfish and wreaking havoc on the shellfishing business. It is important to control HAB's and bacterial communities. Algal blooms deplete oxygen in the water, release toxins, and produce a terrible taste and odor. Algae will continue to grow if not treated, disturbing an ecosystem's natural equilibrium, and can severely deplete water quality, potentially causing illness in our biological communities and humans.