OAKLAND, Calif. — When it blooms, red algae emits toxic byproducts, including aerosols, that kill shellfish and other marine life. People who eat shellfish that have been exposed can be at risk too.

Northeastern University graduate student Amelia Langan’s research helped a Bay Area startup develop a device that could prevent toxic algae from forming dead zones in ocean waters.

During her third and final co-op, Langan worked on a small team researching the use of different light wavelengths to detect algae blooms before they can do harm.

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