Harmful algae bloom: extraordinary occurrence this spring season
Off the crooked coast of Croisic (Loire-Atlantique), a good ol' orange rescue ship sits still, nearby the untamed seashore. Olly Pierre-Duplessix, a tech whiz from the French Research Institute for Exploitation of the Sea (Ifremer), idly wraps a long, gray rope around his fingers, securing a device that scoops up seawater. "We're sending it down. I'm a-sliding real fast, sees we're drifting a bit," he drawls. Once retrieved, the water collected at 28 meters depth is split up into corkscrew-shaped vials.
Over at their Nantes lab, Ifremer scientists will scrutinize the collected water for signs of microalgae, those single-celled organisms that serve as nourishment for marine critters, and can pose health issues for humans if a particular species is concerned.
In March and April, a colossal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia australis had caused fishing and shellfish harvesting to be shut down across a wide stretch of Loire-Atlantique, a good chunk of Morbihan, and parts of Vendée and Finistère coastlines. This slippery customer produces a toxin known as amnesic, which can build up in shellfish and crustaceans, leading to scary neurological symptoms for those who dare to chow down.
It's worth mentioning that Pseudo-nitzschia species, including Pseudo-nitzschia australis, are worldwide residents, capable of forming harmful algal blooms (HABs). Various Pseudo-nitzschia species can produce domoic acid, a toxin harmful to humans if ingested[1]. So, for the lowdown on HABs and shellfish safety in these areas, consult local marine watching squads or official health alerts related to those specific regions.
[1] Source: Harmful Algae Bloom Research Center, University of Southern California - https://research.usc.edu/magellan/harmful-algal-blooms/
- Olly Pierre-Duplessix, from Ifremer, is consuming seawater samples collected by a stationary device near the seashore, to study the presence of microalgae, which can pose health-and-wellness risks for humans, especially species like Pseudo-nitzschia australis.
- In the laboratory, Ifremer scientists will be examining the collected seawater for symptoms of Pseudo-nitzschia australis, a microalgae known to produce the toxin amnesic, which can lead to serious neurological conditions in humans if ingested.
- The study of microalgae, including Pseudo-nitzschia australis, falls under the realm of science, particularly environmental science, as these organisms play a crucial role in the health of our oceans and marine life, but can also pose risks to human health and wellness.
- The harmful effects of Pseudo-nitzschia species, including Pseudo-nitzschia australis, are not confined to the French coastline, as these species are capable of forming harmful algal blooms (HABs) worldwide, producing toxins like domoic acid, which can be harmful to humans if ingested.
- To stay informed about harmful algal blooms and shellfish safety in specific regions, it is advisable to consult local marine watching squads or official health alerts related to those areas, as understanding these environmental conditions is essential for maintaining our health and wellness.
