Green algae

Big group other examples:

Seaweed
Characteristics of green algae:

Cellular structure. Green algae have chloroplasts that

contain chlorophyll a and b, giving them a bright green
color, as well as the accessory pigments beta carotene and
xanthophylls, in stacked thylakoids. The cell walls of green
algae usually contain cellulose, and they store carbohydrate
in the form of starch.
Uses and benefits of green algae
Blue-green algae are used as a source of dietary protein, B-vitamins, and iron.
They are also used for weight loss, attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder
(ADHD), hayfever, diabetes, stress, fatigue, anxiety, depression, and
premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and other womens health issues.
Some people use blue-green algae for treating precancerous growths inside the
mouth, boosting the immune system, improving memory, increasing energy and
metabolism, lowering cholesterol, preventing heart disease, healing wounds, and
improving digestion and bowel health.

Harmful effects of green algae

1. Harmful to living stock:
The algae are harmful to humans in several ways. Volvocales,
Chlorococcales, Myxophyceae and several others occur in such a great
abundance in water, that they colour the whole water either green or
blue green and cause the death of fishes. Sometimes the algae are
found in water so abundantly that they make difficult to drink water
of livestock. Some blue green algae have been reported poisonous and
they directly cause the death of living stock who drink this
contaminated water.
2. Blocking of photosynthesis:

The epiphytic algae which are found upon other plants and trees
block photosynthesis and indirectly harm the trees and plants.
3. Parasitic algae:
The well known disease red rust of tea is not caused by any parasitic
fungus but an algal form Cephaleuros virescens. This causes havoc to
tea plants in Assam tea gardens. Besides, this parasitic form attacks
several other plants, e.g., Mangifera, Rhododendron. Coffea, etc. The
heavy losses are caused to tea and coffee by this parasitic algal form.
4. Mechanical injury:
Sometimes the filamentous forms of algae are found in such a great
abundance and net-like behaviour, that many fishes and other aquatic
animals may get perish in these tangles, and direct death is inflicted
upon them.
5. Contamination of water supply:
Many blue-green, green and other algae contaminate the water of city
reservoirs. This contamination develops a foul odour in the water and
makes the water unhygienic. The algae also form some mucilaginous
secretions which are the seats of harmful bacteria and other
pathogens causing several human and animal diseases.
6. Fouling of ships:
Some algae are attached to the ships, and this is called fouling of ship.
The fouling retards the speed of the ship. To avoid this nuisance the
ships are periodically dried up and painted with copper paint.
7. Deterioration of exposed fabrics:
Commonly in rainy season, if the wet fabrics are exposed, within a
few days a blue green alga appears on it and makes the cloth black
spotted and weak. This was a serious problem during the Second
World War. This algal growth is usually followed by bacterial
infection and the fibres are completely destroyed.

links
http://www.biologydiscussion.com/algae/7-majorharmful-effects-of-algae-to-human-being/916
http://www.webmd.com/vitaminssupplements/ingredientmono-923-blue-green
%20algae.aspx?activeingredientid=923&
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_algae