The Return of the Plagues

Toxic algae in the world's waters, together with growing water pollution and rising temperatures, are causing serious problems in inland waterways and seas. Increasing algal blooms poison fish and mussels and are also dangerous for humans. This plague causes 60,000 poisonings worldwide every year. In Germany, restaurant guests poison themselves when they eat seafood. In Florida, dolphins are not the only victims of the contaminated water; Bathers also have to struggle with breathing difficulties. In Italy, an introduced species of algae is causing the marine fauna to collapse, and in Austria one is on the trail of an alga that threatens to contaminate drinking water reservoirs. Researchers in Europe and America want to solve the riddle of how this modern plague is spreading.