https://phys.org/news/2018-07-columbia-team-algae-bloom-kilauea.html

Algae are a type of phytoplankton, a class of photosynthetic microbes that live on the ocean surface, where they use chlorophyll to harvest light, draw in CO2, and produce oxygen. These tiny cells do a big job in the ocean, trapping CO2 and serving as the foundation of the marine food web. Knowing what contributes to phytoplankton blooms is critical for understanding ocean health.

The researchers are sampling the water and will study its contents to discover how the volcanic eruption is influencing ocean chemistry, phytoplankton activities, and ecosystem processes. The team suspects the phytoplankton may be flourishing thanks to elevated nutrients delivered by lava and ash.