Which of the following statements about harmful algal blooms (HABs) is FALSE?

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are phenomena in aquatic environments where certain algal species proliferate rapidly, often due to excess nutrients in the water, such as phosphorus and nitrogen. While HABs can create vibrant and sometimes visually appealing scenes, they are not beneficial for all aquatic ecosystems.

The statement regarding the benefits of HABs is incorrect because these blooms can lead to significant ecological disturbances. For instance, the dense concentrations of algae can block sunlight from reaching submerged plants, ultimately harming their growth and disrupting the aquatic food web. Additionally, when HABs die off, their decomposition depletes oxygen levels in the water, leading to hypoxic or anoxic conditions that can be detrimental to fish and other aquatic organisms. Therefore, the notion that HABs are beneficial to all aquatic ecosystems contradicts the known negative impacts of these blooms.