Harmful  Algal  Blooms    

Kok  Wai  Kit,  Jerome  TMSI,  NUS  

h=p://www.laCtudenews.com/  

Biodiversity  and  Taxonomy  Workshop  Series  5:  Harmful  Algal  Bloom  Species  Taxonomy  18-‐22  August  2014  

Phytop

lankton   Microscopic  primary  producers  that  provide  

bo=om-‐up  trophic  support  

h=p://www.firstlook.pnas.org/  

Algal  Bloom

s  Microscopic  primary  producers  that  provide  bo=om-‐up  trophic  support  

h=p://www.firstlook.pnas.org/  

Rapid  increase  in  cell  density    

>  4000  species    

<  5%  are  toxic  (mostly  moCle  dinoflagellates)  

Algal  Bloom

s  

Algal  Bloom

s  

Harmful  Algal  Blooms  

Harm  to  human  health  and  marine  organisms  

DiscoloraCon   Foul  Smells  

Etc.  

Algal  Bloom

s  Causes  Nutrient  input  (e.g.  nitrogen  polluCon)    

Thermal  straCficaCon  (stable  water  column)    

Light  availability  h=p://www.whoi.edu/  

Size  and  dura5on  depends  upon  nutrient  input  (especially  nitrogen)    

1)  Deple5on  of  oxygen      

 High  biomass    Rapid,  massive  die-‐off    DecomposiCon  

Mechanism

s  

h=p://www.laboratoryequipment.com/  

h=p://www.wri.org/  

1)  Deple5on  of  oxygen  

2)  Toxic  chemicals      

 Not  all  species  produce  toxic  chemicals      

 Toxic  species  do  not  produce  toxins  all  the  Cme  

Mechanism

s  

h=p://arCcles.balCmore.sun/   h=p://www.dailymail.co.uk/  

1)  Deple5on  of  oxygen  

2)  Toxic  chemicals  

3)  Biomechanical  damage  

Mechanism

s  

h=p://www.afcd.gov.hk/  

h=p://www.aces.nmsu.edu/  

Recent  events   When?  

March  2014    Where?  Coffin  Bay,  Australia    What?  Cockles,  abalone,  rock  lobster,  and  fish  deaths  

h=p://www.portlincolnCmes.com.au/  

With

in  SEA

 When?  January  2014    Where?  Philippines  -‐  Dumanquillas  Bay  -‐  Sibuguey  Bay  -‐  Bataan  

h=p://www.thefishsite.com/