Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Ryan M. McCabe, Barbara M. Hickey, Vera L. Trainer
Summary: This article discusses a bulletin that communicates the risk of toxic Pseudo-nitzschia blooms to shellfish harvest in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. The bulletin provides information and alerts to shellfish managers about adverse environmental conditions that could lead to toxic blooms. It complements beach phytoplankton monitoring programs and offers additional forewarning about potential toxin outbreaks.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katherine M. Roche, Alexa R. Sterling, Tatiana A. Rynearson, Matthew J. Bertin, Bethany D. Jenkins
Summary: Shellfish harvesting in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island, USA, was closed for the first time in 2016-17 due to neurotoxin domoic acid produced by Pseudo-nitzschia diatoms. Different Pseudo-nitzschia species exhibit variations in toxin production, making species identification critical for understanding harmful algal blooms. Long-term DNA preservation in plankton biomass allows for metabarcoding of archived samples to track species composition changes over time, providing valuable insights into ecological factors impacting algal blooms. Annual differences in Pseudo-nitzschia composition were found to be correlated with physical and chemical conditions, with water temperature playing a predominant role.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Stephanie Schreiber, M. Dennis Hanisak, Carlie S. Perricone, Andia Chaves Fonnegra, James Sullivan, Malcolm McFarland
Summary: The study aims to identify species of Pseudo-nitzschia and characterize their bloom dynamics in the southern Indian River Lagoon (IRL) system. The research found that Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were present in approximately 87% of surface water samples, with concentrations up to 1.9x103 cells mL-1. Environmental data showed that Pseudo-nitzschia spp. were associated with high salinity waters and cool temperatures. Additionally, the study reported the first occurrences of P. micropora and P. fraudulenta in the IRL, as well as the first known domoic acid production from P. micropora.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
M. J. Lima, P. Relvas, A. B. Barbosa
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the spatial-temporal variability patterns and phenology of key toxigenic phytoplankton species in southern Portugal and identify the environmental drivers and predictors. The study found several environmental factors that influence harmful algal blooms and made suggestions for improving prediction models.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandre Castagna, Heidi Dierssen, Emanuele Organelli, Margarita Bogorad, Jonas Mortelmans, Wim Vyverman, Koen Sabbe
Summary: Recent research has found that previous interpretations of the optical signals from Phaeocystis globosa were incorrect, and that previous methods are not specific to this species, even within the phytoplankton assemblage of the southern North Sea. Additionally, the optical and pigment signatures of Phaeocystis species are part of a broad pigmentation trend across unrelated taxonomic groups, highlighting the importance of understanding chlorophyll c(3) presence for the interpretation of pigment and optical data.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Aude Boivin-Rioux, Michel Starr, Joel Chasse, Michael Scarratt, William Perrie, Zhenxia Long, Diane Lavoie
Summary: Harmful algal blooms pose a threat to human health, local economies, and coastal ecosystems. The use of GAMMs and climate simulations predicts an increase in blooms of Dinophysis acuminata and Dinophysis norvegica, while blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia seriata are predicted to stabilize or decrease in the future on the Canadian East Coast.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Marco Sandoval-Belmar, Jayme Smith, Allison R. Moreno, Clarissa Anderson, Raphael M. Kudela, Martha Sutula, Faycal Kessouri, David A. Caron, Francisco P. Chavez, Daniele Bianchi
Summary: Pseudo-nitzschia species that produce the neurotoxin domoic acid are the main cause of harmful algal blooms (HABs) along the U.S. West Coast, with significant impacts on ecosystems, fisheries, and human health. A 20-year time series of in situ particulate DA and environmental observations was analyzed to characterize the drivers of PN HABs along the California coast. The study found that DA outbreaks are strongly correlated with upwelling, chlorophyll-a, and silicic acid limitation, and there are clear differences in the response to climate regimes across different regions.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Hally B. Stone, Neil S. Banas, Parker MacCready, Vera L. Trainer, Daniel L. Ayres, Matthew Hunter
Summary: The Pacific Northwest HAB Bulletin project utilizes a combination of monitoring data and ocean forecast modeling to study the formation, evolution, and transport of harmful algal blooms in the region. This study aimed to improve the forecast model used in the Bulletin through a retrospective particle-tracking experiment. The analysis identified the most useful beaching definition and cell count threshold for describing harmful algal bloom events. Additionally, the performance of different model resolutions was compared, with the high-resolution model showing better accuracy in beaching definition.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Raquel Rios-Castro, Beatriz Novoa, Jorge Hernandez-Urcera, Francisco Rodriguez, Antonio Figueras
Summary: In this study, eDNA amplicon sequencing was used to detect harmful algal species in a shallow marine environment. The results showed the presence of 25 potential harmful species, including diatoms and dinoflagellates. The study also highlighted the importance of including both sediment and plankton fractions in eDNA monitoring studies.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Leanne A. Pearson, Paul M. D'Agostino, Brett A. Neilan
Summary: Marine microalgae produce toxic metabolites that harm humans, farmed fish, and marine wildlife, accumulating in shellfish and higher trophic organisms. Molecular methods, particularly qPCR, have become popular for monitoring harmful microalgae, with focus on toxin gene monitoring technologies for early detection and prevention of harmful algal blooms.
Article
Ecology
Subhendu Chakraborty, Stefanie D. Moorthi, Rajat Karnatak, Ulrike Feudel
Summary: The study reveals that the toxic substances produced by toxic phytoplankton suppress the grazing population, giving both phytoplankton species an advantage and leading to irregular patterns in their seasonal growth. The dynamics of toxic phytoplankton blooms become more irregular and severe in the presence of high toxic effects, while non-toxic phytoplankton show annual blooms.
ECOLOGICAL MODELLING
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Silvia Beatriz Alves Rolim, Bijeesh Kozhikkodan Veettil, Antonio Pedro Vieiro, Anita Baldissera Kessler, Clovis Gonzatti
Summary: Harmful algal blooms, especially cyanobacterial blooms, are occurring in many freshwater lakes worldwide, impacting public health and ecosystem integrity. To mitigate their negative effects, prediction, early detection, and monitoring of algal blooms are crucial. Remote sensing, including different platforms and AI-based algorithms, provides an effective and cost-efficient method for detecting and monitoring these events. Recent advancements in using UAV platforms equipped with sophisticated sensors have revolutionized the detection and monitoring of water quality. Predicting algal blooms based on AI methods will play a key role in mitigating eutrophication in the future.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junhui Chen, Jianbo Yang, Xiuping He, Jiuming Wang, Lei Pan, Ming Xin, Farong Chen, Shengkang Liang, Baodong Wang
Summary: In this study, a comprehensive investigation of the occurrence, phase partitioning, spatial distribution, potential sources, and environmental influencing factors of domoic acid (DA) in the Bohai and Northern Yellow seas was conducted. The results showed that DA was predominantly found in the dissolved phase and originated mainly from the phytoplankton Pseudo-nitzschia pungens in the aquaculture zone. This study is important for understanding the prevalence of DA in these seas and suggests the need for routine monitoring to prevent contamination of shellfish farms.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Donald M. Anderson, Elizabeth Fensin, Christopher J. Gobler, Alicia E. Hoeglund, Katherine A. Hubbard, David M. Kulis, Jan H. Landsberg, Kathi A. Lefebvre, Pieter Provoost, Mindy L. Richlen, Juliette L. Smith, Andrew R. Solow, Vera L. Trainer
Summary: Harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the U.S. have seen a significant increase in both qualitative and quantitative aspects over the past thirty years, with a wider range of toxic species and toxins, expanded affected areas, and new poisoning syndromes emerging. Factors contributing to this expansion include human activities like nutrient pollution and ocean warming, necessitating new approaches to monitoring and management for resource managers and public health officials.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hui Li, Zhiming Yu, Xihua Cao, Xiuxian Song
Summary: In this paper, a modified chitosan was prepared to improve its solubility in seawater, solving the technical difficulty of applying chitosan in seawater. Based on this, a modified clay was further prepared for the mitigation of harmful algal blooms. The novel modified clay showed great potential with a dosage nearly ten times less than that of traditional modified clay.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Elise Lacoste, Auriane Jones, Myriam Callier, Judith Klein, Franck Lagarde, Valerie Derolez
Summary: Mediterranean coastal lagoons play important ecological roles but are vulnerable to multiple pressures. While research has been conducted to improve their ecological status, many still face challenges. This paper reviews the impacts of human-induced pressures on the soft-bottom benthic ecosystem in these lagoons, highlighting the need for more research on climate change, invasive species, and emerging contaminants. It also emphasizes the importance of better understanding and quantifying the cumulative effects of these pressures.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Viviana Ligorini, Elea Crayol, Frederic Huneau, Emilie Garel, Nathalie Malet, Marie Garrido, Louise Simon, Philippe Cecchi, Vanina Pasqualini
Summary: Mediterranean coastal lagoons, especially the small ones, are facing multiple threats and are often overlooked in conservation and scientific studies. This study provides the first inventory of all Corsican lagoons and investigates three of them, revealing their importance at regional and Mediterranean scale. The study highlights the need for an integrated approach considering lagoons within their adjacent connected systems and anthropogenic contexts.
ESTUARIES AND COASTS
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Valerie Derolez, Remi Mongruel, Feriel Adjeroud, Helene Rey-Valette, Dorian Nicolle, Nicole Lautredou-Audouy
Summary: This article examines public perception of the evolution of social-ecological systems and their views on past and future ecosystem services. The study finds that local residents have a fairly sound knowledge of the long-term evolution of ecosystem services, but there are some differences in trends for certain services.
OCEAN & COASTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valerie Derolez, Remi Mongruel, Helene Rey-Valette, Nicole Lautredou-Audouy
Summary: Coastal social-ecological systems (SES) are vulnerable and rapidly changing due to their multiple uses and exposure to different stressors. A methodology combining timeline approach and time series analyses was proposed to analyze co-evolution and regime shifts in SES. This methodology was tested on the Thau lagoon on the French Mediterranean coast, revealing the dynamics of SES driven by interactions between crises and management adaptations. The study identified cause-and-effect relationships and highlighted periods of stable emerging properties. This long-term approach can aid in increasing the resilience of coastal SES and addressing challenges posed by global climate change.
REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Dominique Munaron, Bastien Merigot, Valerie Derolez, Nathalie Tapie, Helene Budzinski, Annie Fiandrino
Summary: This study assessed the risk of pesticide mixtures in lagoon waters using integrative passive samplers and concentration addition toxicological models. The findings revealed varying compositions and concentrations of dissolved pesticides over the year, with certain substances and transformation products posing a chronic toxicity risk for phytoplankton, crustaceans, and fish. The study suggests a need to review the current EU Water Framework Directive's risk-assessment method.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
O. El Idrissi, B. Monnier, G. Lepoint, A. Aiello, R. Bastien, R. Lourkisti, M. Bonnin, J. Santini, V. Pasqualini, S. Gobert, S. Ternengo
Summary: Samples collected from marine ecosystems in Corsica, Italy, indicated significant contamination from trace elements released by an old asbestos mine. The study showed that macroalgae, sea urchin gut content, and gonads were the main accumulation sites for trace elements. The accumulation of trace elements was found to be related to the dominant marine currents in the area.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
S. Santoni, E. Garel, M. Gillon, M. Babic, J. E. Spangenberg, B. Bomou, D. Sebag, T. Adatte, R. van Geldern, V. Pasqualini, A. Mattei, F. Huneau
Summary: Peatlands are permanent wetlands known for their biodiversity conservation and carbon storage capacity. However, little information is available about how they respond to global change. This study focuses on Mediterranean peatlands and demonstrates that, despite releasing CO2 into the atmosphere, they can still maintain carbon storage capacity.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Pierre-Etienne Pinchart, Amandine Leruste, Vanina Pasqualini, Felice Mastroleo
Summary: Spirulina is a globally consumed food or dietary supplement due to its nutritional value and health potential. However, it may contain cyanotoxins, including hepatotoxic microcystins, produced by cyanobacterial contaminants. This study collected and analyzed data from French spirulina producers, showing that the levels of microcystins remained within safe regulatory limits while identifying various cyanobacterial contaminants and suggesting cultivation practices improvements.
Article
Microbiology
Baptiste Defaye, Sara Moutailler, Benjamin Vollot, Clemence Galon, Gaelle Gonzalez, Rayane Amaral Moraes, Antoine-Simon Leoncini, Amalia Rataud, Gilles Le Guillou, Vanina Pasqualini, Yann Quilichini
Summary: In this study, blood samples and hematophagous ectoparasites were collected from migratory and sedentary bird populations in Corsican wetlands. Five pathogens, including Trypanosoma sp. in louse flies and Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Erhlichia chaffeensis, and Rickettsia helvetica in ticks, were detected. Additionally, Ehrlichia chaffeensis and the West Nile virus were detected in bird blood samples in Corsica. This is the first report of these tick, louse fly, and pathogen species isolated on the bird population in Corsica, highlighting the importance of bird populations in the presence of arthropod-borne pathogens in Corsican wetlands.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jan Perret, Oceane Cobelli, Adrien Taudiere, Julien Andrieu, Yildiz Aumeeruddy-Thomas, Jamila Ben Souissi, Guillaume Besnard, Gabriele Casazza, Pierre-Andre Crochet, Thibaud Decaens, Francoise Denis, Philippe Geniez, Michael Loizides, Frederic Medail, Vanina Pasqualini, Claudia Speciale, Vincent Battesti, Pierre Chevaldonne, Christophe Lejeusne, Franck Richard
Summary: The study examines the distribution of biodiversity research efforts within the Mediterranean Basin hotspot and suggests rebalancing sampling efforts towards poorly known regions and using molecular data to refine hotspot definition.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Quentin Schull, Anais Beauvieux, Vincent A. Viblanc, Luisa Metral, Lina Leclerc, Diego Romero, Fabrice Pernet, Claudie Quere, Dominique Munaron, Christopher W. McKindsey, Claire Saraux, Jerome Bourjea
Summary: By using an integrative approach, we tested the direct and indirect causal pathways through which environmental stressors affect the stress response of wild gilthead seabream in Mediterranean coastal lagoons. Our results showed that 54% of fish stress response can be explained by variables such as lagoon features, fish age, fish diet, fish reserve, fish structure, and fish contaminant load.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Viviana Ligorini, Marie Garrido, Nathalie Malet, Louise Simon, Loriane Alonso, Romain Bastien, Antoine Aiello, Philippe Cecchi, Vanina Pasqualini
Summary: Mediterranean coastal lagoons are vulnerable to anthropogenic threats and climate change. Salinity is a key factor for phytoplankton communities, but its role under climate change is not well understood. This study demonstrates that salinity variations can disturb phytoplankton communities in Mediterranean lagoons. Climate change implications must be considered for the future management of coastal lagoons.
