Harmful algae bloom (HAB) is no algae.

Harmful algae bloom, also called Cyanobacteria, is in a leage of its own. It's not a type of algae, and it's no regular bacteria.

Cyanobacteria are typically 0.2 – 2.0mm diameter, while algae are typically 10-100mm. They produce toxins that algae do not. When they bloom, there are many species of them bloom altogether, that is not the case with algae.

Cyanobacteria have longer cells than regular bacteria. They do not possess flagella as many bacteria do. They are autotrophic, while bacteria are both autotrophic and heterotrophic. They are always aerobic, while bacteria may or may not be.

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Cyanobacteria reproduce exclusively through asexual reproduction.

The process can be very fast comparing to most bacteria growth.

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Cyanobacteria can survive on water and sunlight alone.

IThey require very little to survive. In fact, they already do exist in nature- They are often found in fresh waterbodies. When the latter are not oversaturiated with nutrients. Normally, their precence is not cause for alarm. The real danger is when they explode in population, forming a blue-green 'bloom'.

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