Millions of microscopic plants (phytoplankton) thrive in nearly every drop of coastal seawater. In the presence of sunlight and sufficient nutrients to grow, these plants photosynthesize and multiply, creating a “bloom.” While most of the thousands of species of algae are harmless, this species is one of a few dozen that create potent toxins. The swimming, photosynthetic cells of A. fundyense are responsible for blooms in the northeast US. A closely related species called Alexandrium tamarense also occurs in these waters but A. fundyense is more abundant and thus its name is used to simplify discussions. The motile cells of A. fundyense originate from the germination of
dormant cysts that accumulate
in bottom sediments and allow the species to survive cold winter
temperatures and unfavorable growing conditions. The cysts can also be resuspended by tides and storms. Alexandrium is naturally distributed throughout New England waters, and past research by Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) scientists has shown that these cells travel to the south in coastal currents derived from rivers and other water moving west in the Gulf of Maine. The algae typically develop into large-scale blooms only in waters off Maine and Canada, with intensities varying from year to year. Natural current and wind patterns usually keep the cells from flowing into nearshore waters of southern New England in most years. Red Tides or Harmful Algal Blooms Harmful algae are microscopic, single-celled plants that live in the sea. Most species of algae or phytoplankton are not harmful and serve as the energy producers at the base of the food web, without which higher life on this planet would not exist. Occasionally, the algae grow very fast or "bloom" and accumulate into dense, visible patches near the surface of the water. "Red Tide" is a common name for such a phenomenon where certain phytoplankton species contain reddish pigments and "bloom" such that the water appears to be colored red. The term "red tide" is thus a misnomer because they are not associated with tides; they are usually not harmful; and those species that are harmful may never reach the densities required to discolor the water. Unfortunately, a small number of species produce potent neurotoxins that can be transfered through the food web where they affect and even kill the higher forms of life such as zooplankton, shellfish, fish, birds, marine mammals, and even humans that feed either directly or indirectly on them. Scientists now prefer the term, HAB, to refer to bloom phenomenon that contain toxins or that cause negative impacts.
Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) causative organisms: Alexandrium spp., Gymnodinium catenatum, Pyrodinium bahamense toxins produced: Saxitoxins PSP is a life threatening syndrome. Symptoms are purely neurological and their onset is rapid. Duration of effects is a few days in non-lethal cases. Symptoms include tingling, numbness, and burning of the perioral region, ataxia, giddiness, drowsiness, fever, rash, and staggering. The most severe cases result in respiratory arrest within 24 hours of consumption of the toxic shellfish. If the patient is not breathing or if a pulse is not detected, artificial respiration and CPR may be needed as first aid. There is no antidote, supportive therapy is the rule and survivors recover fully. PSP is prevented by large-scale proactive monitoring programs (assessing toxin levels in mussels, oysters, scallops, clams) and rapid closures to harvest of suspect or demonstrated toxic areas. Additional information on PSP Last updated: March 24, 2016 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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