Phaeocystis blooms and eutrophication of the continental coastal zones of the North sea

Mechanisms held responsible for the increased Phaeocystis blooms (regarded a nuisance because of the intensive foam production during the wane of the bloom) in European coastal waters are described. The findings of a study of the distribution of Phaeocystis along the European continental coast on the basis of its ability to compete for nutrients and to form colonies when nitrate is the major N-source are presented.