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Overview:
Harmful Algal
Blooms
Rhodora V. Azanza, Ph.D.
The Marine Science Institute
University of the Philippines
Diliman, Quezon City
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Phytoplankton different species or kinds

phytoplankton bloom -
one species or group of related species

HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS

w/ discoloration of water usually w/o

discoloration of water

“Red Tides” “Toxic Algal Blooms”

bloom species cause fish kills bloom species toxic to humans
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Red Tide
l proliferationof microalgae
l discoloration
l not necessarily red
l harmful or harmless
depending on the organism
and areas affected
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Harmful Algal Bloom

l proliferation of microalgae
l depending on the causative organism
l can cause massive fish kill
l can contaminate seafoods
l can alter ecosystems
l harmful not necessarily with water
discoloration
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Impacts of HAB’s to the
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Components of the Ecosystem

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Phytoplankton are at the base of the marine food web.

HABs can have devastating impacts on

human health, the seafood industry & marine fauna,

SHELLFISH POISONING FISH POISONING

Toxic Dinoflagellate

Adhere to marine plants

Fish (Grazers)

Fish (Carnivores)

Shumway et al., 1995 7

Human illness & death

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Harmful Algal Blooms

• Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning

• Diarrhetic Shellfish Poisoning
• Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning
• Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning
• Ciguatera Fish Poisoning
• Other novel poisonings

• Fish Kills
RVAzanza, 2004
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HAB Type Toxins Toxin Molecular

Mechanism
Paralytic Shellfish Saxitoxins Na+ Channel Blocker
Poisoning
Diarrhetic Shellfish Okadaic Acid, Phosphatase Inhibitor
Poisoning Dinophysiotoxin

Amnesic Shellfish Domoic Acids Glutamate receptor

Poisoning agonist
Ciguatera Fish Ciguatoxins Na+/Ca++-channel
Poisoning Maitotoxin activators

Neurotoxic Shellfish Brevetoxins Na+ Channel Activator

Poisoning
& Aerosolized Tx

Fleming et al., 2001; Baden et al., 1995; CDC, 2001; Music et al., 1975
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Symptoms
l PSP: The first evidence of PSP intoxication usually begins with a
tingling sensation or numbness around lips within 5-30 minutes of
ingestion, gradually spreading to face and neck, a prickly sensation
in fingertips and toes as well as headache and dizziness. With
moderate to severe intoxication, symptoms include incoherent
speech, progression of prickly sensation to arms and legs within 4-6
hours, stiffness and non-co-ordination of limbs, general weakness
with slight respiratory difficulty and a rapid pulse. Other symptoms
sometimes observed include a sensation of lightness (‘ floating in the
air’), salivation, intense thirst and temporary blindness.
Gastrointestinal symptoms of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and
abdominal pain are less common.

l NSP: produces an intoxication syndrome nearly identical to that of

ciguatera. In this case, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms
predominate. In addition, formation of toxic aerosols by wave action
can produce respiratory asthma-like symptoms.
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Symptoms
l DSP: produces gastrointestinal symptoms, usually beginning within
30 min to a few hours after consumption of toxic shellfish
(Yasumoto and Murato, 1990). The illness, which is not fatal, is
characterized by incapacitating diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
abdominal cramps, and chills. Recovery occurs within three days,
with or without medical treatment.

l ASP: The ingestion of domoic acid-contaminated shellfish can cause

severe nausea, vomiting and diarrhea within ½ to 6 hours. If the
poisoning is not severe and the person is not otherwise
compromised (e.g., kidney problems), the person normally recovers
completely within a few days. Unfortunately, if the poisoning is
severe enough or the individual is not able to excrete domoic acid
readily, temporary or permanent brain damage may occur. The
syndrome is complex but the most notable simple characteristic is a
loss of short term memory

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Species Responsible for

Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)

A. tamiyavanichii Pyrodinium bahamense

A. catenella
var. compressum

A. minutum G. catenatum A. ostenfeldii A. tamarense

Pictures from Fukuyo
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HAB Management Options

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A. Control
•Chemical
• Biological
B. Prevention
• Ballast Water
• Transfer of fish
• Regulate water-flow
• Modify circulation
• Alter nutrients
ECOHAB-USA
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C. Mitigation
• Monitoring / Surveillance

• Harvesting / Banning
• Human Health Intervention
• Forecasting
• Tourism / Other Interventions
• Alternative livelihood / loans

ECOHAB-USA
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Mitigating Efforts

• Integrated Coastal Management (ICM)

• Health Promotion / Education
• Local Environment Monitoring
• Shellfish Toxicity Surveillance
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Activities:
1) Regular information, education and communication
2) Nutrition programs, including alternative food
sources
3) Provision of appropriate health and medical
services
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Integrated Coastal Management

[ implements an integrated plan for the
protection and development of coastal
ecosystems and resources
[ HAB management included in ICM
e.g. Manila Bay
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Phytoplankton Sampling

Plankton Net with 20µm mesh 1-L Kemmerer Sampler

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Dinoflagellate Cyst Sampling

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Marine Emergency Response
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System (MERSys)
l Goal
To draft a framework plan that can be
implemented by the local partners and
stakeholders

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