Based on the passage, what is an algal bloom?

';When the amount of waste is excessive, however, populations of euglenophytes and other algae may grow into enourmous masses called blooms.'; - Biology textbook


Does this passage not imply that the mass itself is the bloom, not the rapid increase in growth rate a bloom really is? And doesn't it imply that the growth is just called ';growth';, not ';bloom';?


I missed a question on a test becuse of this misleading passage, and would like some others' opinions as to whether or not you agree with my understanding of the passage.Based on the passage, what is an algal bloom?
masses here means population my dear friend





the enormous mass means huge growth of euglenophytes.....there is nothing wrong with the passage but it is how you interpret the words





So, i hope this helps and now you know that enormous masses means huge growth giving a large population^_^Based on the passage, what is an algal bloom?
An algal bloom or marine bloom or water bloom is a rapid increase in the population of algae in an aquatic system. Algal blooms may occur in freshwater as well as marine environments.





Typically only one or a few phytoplankton species are involved and some blooms may be recognized by discoloration of the water resulting from the high density of pigmented cells. Although there is no officially recognized threshold level, algae can be considered to be blooming at concentrations of hundreds to thousands of cells per milliliter, depending on the causative species. Algal bloom concentrations may reach millions of cells per milliliter. Colors observed are green, yellowish-brown, or red. Bright green blooms may also occur. These are a result of blue-green algae, which are actually bacteria (cyanobacteria).





FOR FURTHER INFO VISIT- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algal_bloom