Often called a Harmful Algal Bloom, the Lake Erie blooms of blue-green algae (also known as cyanobacteria) can produce the liver toxin microcystin. Algal blooms pose risks to people and animals, ...

Tar puddles are another notable characteristic of UCSB’s campus beaches. Their presence was especially noticeable during fall quarter’s recent Week Zero (sorry, freshmen!), but the sludge is nothing ...