The original lecture “ Algae: The World’s Most Important ‘Plants’ ” Presented at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is available at: The original lecture “ Algae: The World’s Most Important ‘Plants’ ” Presented at the Birch Aquarium at Scripps is available at:

Osher Lecture 4 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) The world’s Most Important Plants Gone Awry? Red Tide (California) Red Tide (California)

Osher Lecture 4 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) The world’s Most Important Plants Gone Awry? New Zealand New Zealand

Osher Lecture 4 – Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) The world’s Most Important Plants Gone Awry? Valparaiso, Chile ? Valparaiso, Chile ?

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) – what are they? Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) – what are they? They are harmful blooms of algae. They are harmful blooms of algae. Harmful in various ways… Blooms = massive amounts of algae in an area (large or small) Harmful in various ways… Blooms = massive amounts of algae in an area (large or small) What are massive amounts? Example: 1.2 x 10 7 cells per liter 12,000,000 cells per liter What are massive amounts? Example: 1.2 x 10 7 cells per liter 12,000,000 cells per liter

What algae are involved in HABs? Mostly phytoplankton ≈ 300 spp. (but seaweeds too, c.f. China and the Olympics) Which phytoplankton? Mainly, but not soley, dinoflagellates and diatoms Mainly, but not soley, dinoflagellates and diatoms

Sandie Baldauf (University of York) 2009 * *

What about the Red Tides? The Red Tides specifically dinoflagellate blooms and some are actually red in color, but not all Dinoflagellate blooms are red. The Red Tides specifically dinoflagellate blooms and some are actually red in color, but not all Dinoflagellate blooms are red. The Red Tides are perhaps the best known HABs for various reasons. The Red Tides are perhaps the best known HABs for various reasons.

Why are the blooms harmful? About ¼ of the 300 spp. produce toxins. What do the toxins do? 1) amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) 2) ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) 3) diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) 4) neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) 5) paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) South Africa west coast (St. Helena Bay) hydrogen sulfide poisoning via Ceratium furca and Prorocentrum micans.

Caused by domoic acid (accumulated in shellfish and boney fish) 1) amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP) Effects: gastrological and neurological disorders incl. loss of memory and death Effects: gastrological and neurological disorders incl. loss of memory and death Algae: diatoms – Pseudo-nitschia spp. Areas: Canada, West Coast of the USA

Domoic Acid

Caused by ciguatoxin and maitotoxin 2) ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP) Effects: gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular disturbances (rarely death) Recovery: months or even years Effects: gastrointestinal, neurological, and cardiovascular disturbances (rarely death) Recovery: months or even years Algae: dinoflagellates – Gambierdiscus toxicus Area: the tropics

Caused by okadaic acid 3) diarrhetic shellfish poisoning (DSP) Effects: diarrhea, nausea, cramps (no death) Algae: dinoflagellates – Dinophysis acuta & D. acuminata Areas: Spain, Mediterranean & Adriatic Seas, etc.

Caused by brevitoxins (neurotoxins) & hemolytic toxins (colorless, odorless, heat-stable and acid-stable polyethers!!) Caused by brevitoxins (neurotoxins) & hemolytic toxins (colorless, odorless, heat-stable and acid-stable polyethers!!) 4) neurotoxic shellfish poisoning (NSP) Effects: via food: gastrointestinal & neurological disturbances; via air & volatilized toxin: respiratory problems (asthmas-like) Effects: via food: gastrointestinal & neurological disturbances; via air & volatilized toxin: respiratory problems (asthmas-like) Algae: Karenia brevis (aka Gymnodinium breve) Areas: Gulf of Mexico, now New Zealand etc.

brevitoxins

Caused by saxitoxin (a sodium channel blocker) 5) paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes; shortness of breath; dry mouth; aching feeling; confused or slurred speech; lack of coordination; and death (15% no known antidote) Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes; shortness of breath; dry mouth; aching feeling; confused or slurred speech; lack of coordination; and death (15% no known antidote) Algae: Alexandrium tamarense

Caused by saxitoxin (a sodium channel blocker) 5) paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes; shortness of breath; dry mouth; aching feeling; confused or slurred speech; lack of coordination; and death (15% no known antidote) Effects: nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; abdominal pain; tingling or burning lips, gums, tongue, face, neck, arms, legs, and toes; shortness of breath; dry mouth; aching feeling; confused or slurred speech; lack of coordination; and death (15% no known antidote) Algae: Alexandrium tamarense Areas: USA: northeast coast, Alaska, west coast; Asia, Europe, South America, etc. Areas: USA: northeast coast, Alaska, west coast; Asia, Europe, South America, etc.

The harm done by non-harmful algal blooms ? Monterey Bay 2007 – hundred of dead sea birds A red tide of Akashiwo sanguinea – a NON-toxic dino. Dead algae  protein-rich foam = a surfactant  ruined the waterproofing on the birds’ feathers  they got wet & cold & died Dead algae  protein-rich foam = a surfactant  ruined the waterproofing on the birds’ feathers  they got wet & cold & died

HABs can be red rides but they can also be green tides, brown tides, black tides, etc. HABs can be red rides but they can also be green tides, brown tides, black tides, etc. Brown Tide: Aureoumbra lagunensis

The blue-green tide

General points about HABs: Financial aspects: monitoring costs, commercial losses, human and animal welfare “costs” Financial aspects: monitoring costs, commercial losses, human and animal welfare “costs” There are toxic and non-toxic strains of the same species. (Species-ID is often HARD !!!) There are toxic and non-toxic strains of the same species. (Species-ID is often HARD !!!) HABs: more frequent, more severe, more places… There can be many “versions” of the toxins. HABs: more scarry (cf., Pfiesteria) The presence of bacteria complicates the toxin situation. The presence of bacteria complicates the toxin situation. Occurrences are often not predictable.

Be afraid… Be very afraid! Be afraid… Be very afraid! Be good… Be very good and take care of the planet! Be good… Be very good and take care of the planet!

The Fuzzy Jesus