Because of climate change, harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity. New science helps demystify the frequent harmful algal blooms in the Pacific off the coast of Chile by studying how algae species interact with each other and their environment.
Because of climate change, harmful algal blooms are increasing in frequency and intensity. New science helps demystify the frequent harmful algal blooms in the Pacific off the coast of Chile by studying how algae species interact with each other and their environment.
Harmful algal blooms, sometimes called HABs, occur when algae grow out of control. Algae are photosynthetic organisms that mostly live in water and rely on the sunlight for energy. Because of climate change, the frequency and intensity of harmful algal blooms are increasing globally. Researchers at Hiroshima University have uncovered new insights into how algae species interact with each other and their environment in coastal waters."This study aimed to understand how harmful algal species interact with other phytoplankton and environmental factors like temperature and salinity. This understanding is crucial because harmful algal blooms have been increasing in frequency and intensity in Chile, causing substantial damage to the aquaculture industry, particularly salmon farming, which is vital to Chile's economy as the world's second-largest salmon producer," said So Fujiyoshi, an assistant professor at Hiroshima University's The IDEC Institute in Hiroshima, Japan. The study analyzed these algal-algal species interactions through a statistical tool called empirical dynamic modeling, which can map relationships within a system using long-term data. This study used phytoplankton monitoring data that had been collected for 28 years to find out if temperature, salinity, or other phytoplankton species had an impact on the growth of Pseudo-nitzschia, one of the most common algal species groups found in harmful algal blooms. This species group is known to produce a neurotoxin called domoic acid. It contaminates shellfish and fish and can cause a rare illness called amnesic shellfish poisoning if eaten. The symptoms of ASP include vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, headache, confusion, short-term memory loss, seizures, and, in rare cases, death. "We discovered that Pseudo-nitzschia has complex interactions with other algal species. Our findings also suggest that salinity might have a more significant influence than temperature, which was previously thought to be a key factor. This discovery could improve our ability to predict harmful algal blooms," said Fujiyoshi. The researchers emphasized that the empirical dynamic modeling method is only the start to understanding the interactions between Pseudo-nitzschia groups and other algal species. The next step would be real-world ecological observation. Looking ahead, the research team hope to use what they learned to create a biological prediction model for harmful algal blooms."The next steps would include additional environmental parameters, particularly nutrient variation due to upwelling, investigating the specific mechanisms behind how different phytoplankton species influence Pseudo-nitzschia, and developing these findings into a practical prediction model that could help protect aquaculture industry," said Fujiyoshi. Other contributors include Ishara Uhanie Perera at Yamaguchi University; Daiki Kumakura and Shinji Nakaoka at Hokkaido University; Carolina Medel, Oscar Espinoza-González, and Leonardo Guzmán at Instituto de Fomento Pesquero; Kyoko Yarimizu, Fumito Maruyama, Milko A. Jorquera, and Hansoo Lee at Hiroshima University; Felipe Tucca and Alexander Jaramillo-Torres at Instituto Tecnológico del Salmón; Yukako Tohsato at Ritsumeikan University; and Jacquelinne J. Acuña at Universidad de la Frontera. Science and Technology Research Partnership for Sustainable Development -- Monitoring Algae in Chile, JSPS KAKENHI Fostering Joint International Research, and the JSPS Bilateral Program supported this research.Ishara Uhanie Perera, So Fujiyoshi, Daiki Kumakura, Carolina Medel, Kyoko Yarimizu, Oscar Espinoza-González, Leonardo Guzmán, Shinji Nakaoka, Felipe Tucca, Alexander Jaramillo-Torres, Yukako Tohsato, Jacquelinne J. Acuña, Milko A. Jorquera, Hansoo Lee, Fumito Maruyama.Effective management of phosphorus is needed to curb the rise of harmful algal blooms. Few studies have explored how algal biomass, especially blue-green algae, can be used to create materials that ... A globally distributed single-celled organism that occurs in harmful algal blooms has been found to exhibit an unusual organisation of photosynthesis. Researchers have taken a closer look at the ... Changes in the northern Alaskan Arctic ocean environment have reached a point at which a previously rare phenomenon -- widespread blooms of toxic algae -- could become more commonplace, potentially ... Using a unique historical baseline , scientists have discovered dramatic changes in the chemistry and composition of Sargassum, floating brown seaweed, transforming this vibrant living ...Scientists Simulate Asteroid Collision Effects on Climate and Plants'Altar Tent' Discovery Puts Islamic Art at the Heart of Medieval Christianity
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