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The Leonard Lopate Show / October 29, 2009 / Underreported: Algae as a Weapon of Mass Extinction

Underreported: Algae as a Weapon of Mass Extinction

Thursday, October 29, 2009

Over the past decade many species of algae have expanded their range toward the poles and into areas where they previously have not been found and many speculate that global warming is to blame. New research into the fossil record is linking the toxins produced by algal blooms to numerous mass extinctions in our planet’s history. On today’s first Underreported we’ll speak to Professor Jim Castle and Professor John Rodgers, both of Clemson University, authors of a paper on mass extinctions and algae.


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  • [1] Jim from Tuxedo,NY October 29, 2009 - 12:42PM

    Is there also any correlation with increased nitrogen or phosphorous in the water and higher amounts of algae?
  • [2] Tony from San Jose, CA October 29, 2009 - 01:30PM

    How do you know that it's not the other way around? Maybe mass extinction removes the competition and allows the algae to grow?

    Correlation, isn't correlation, right?
  • [3] John Weber from Jersey Shore October 29, 2009 - 01:44PM

    There is legislation moving through Congress right now to help deal with Harmful Algal Blooms.

    http://oceanchampions.org/oc-currents.php?id=the-harmful-algal-blooms-aka-toxic-tides-bill-is-on-the-move

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