The toxic benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis ovata: Quantification of proliferation along the coastline of Genoa, Italy

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin Vol. 56; no. 6; pp. 1209 - 1214
• Main Authors: Mangialajo, L., Bertolotto, R., Cattaneo-Vietti, R., Chiantore, M., Grillo, C., Lemee, R., Melchiorre, N., Moretto, P., Povero, P., Ruggieri, N.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.06.2008; Elsevier
• Subjects: Animal and plant ecology; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Animals; Applied sciences; Autoecology; Benthic HABs; Biological and medical sciences; Dinoflagellates; Dinoflagellida - physiology; Ecosystem; Environmental factors; Environmental Monitoring; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Italy; Marine; Mediterranean Sea; Natural water pollution; Ostreopsis; Ostreopsis ovata; Plants and fungi; Pollution; Population Dynamics; Seawaters, estuaries; Water treatment and pollution; Italy; Ligurian Sea; Mediterranean Sea; Europe; Italy, Genoa; MED, Ligurian Sea; MED, Western Mediterranean; Ostreopsis ovata; Dinoflagellates; Environmental factors; Benthic HABs; Mediterranean Sea; Atmospheric condition; Benthic organism; Algae; Temperature effect; Environmental factor; Coastal zone; Marine environment; Dinophyta; Bloom; Phytoplankton; Poison; Water pollution; Biological contamination; Formation mechanism; Harmful alga; Seawater
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2008.02.028

Toxic harmful algal bloom (HAB) occurrence is becoming more frequent and problematic in highly urbanized coastal zones. In summer 2005 along the urbanized Genoa coastline (Ligurian Sea, North western Mediterranean Sea), local first aid stations treated about 200 people, who all showed similar symptoms following exposure to marine aerosols. The link with proliferation of Ostreopsis ovata was made, and it highlighted for the first time, the risks that benthic HABs may represent in highly urbanised temperate areas. Subsequently, a specific monitoring plan was designed and implemented in the same area in July 2006, before the first signs of Ostreopsis proliferation were detected. Here we report on this quantification of an Ostreopsis ovata bloom in the Ligurian Sea. Cells were quantified both in the water column and in the epiphytic community on macrophytes. Our results suggest a role of sea water temperature and weather conditions in favouring bloom development.