TOXIC ALGAL BLOOMS

Blooms of the poisonous plankton pseudo-nitzschia make local shellfish and sardines
off-limits to humans, but wild marine mammals and seabirds are still exposed to domoic
acid poisoning as the toxin makes its way up the food web. Local outbreaks of the algae kill
or injure mainly sea lions and pelicans, causing seizures and disorientation. Greenish in color,
the plankton does not discolor the water.
Outbreaks of the plankton lingulodinium polyedrum dont poison the food web, but do
produce the classic red tide, brimming with reddish-brown algae. Although not toxic, the
blooms can choke an enclosed bay like Redondo Beachs King Harbor, killing all the fish
and invertebrates.

Algae up-close

1. When conditions
are right, pseudo-
nitzschia plankton 1.
reproduce explosively and
produce a deadly neurotoxin.

Pseudo-nitzschia
australis 2. Small fish like anchovies and sardines
eat the plankton and accumulate
the poison.

3. Sea lions, dolphins and pelicans

that eat enough of the tainted fish
are seriously injured or killed, as the
poison causes seizures and other 2.
neurological effects.

Lingulodinium
polyedrum

3.

Sources: National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, The Martin Ryan
Institute, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
PAUL PENZELLA SCNG