Evidence for massive and recurrent toxic blooms of Alexandrium catenella in the Alaskan Arctic.

ABSTRACT: Among the organisms that spread into and flourish in Arctic waters with rising temperatures and sea ice loss are toxic algae, a group of harmful algal bloom species that produce potent biotoxins. Alexandrium catenella, a cyst-forming dinoflagellate that causes paralytic shellfish poisoning worldwide, has been a significant threat to human health in southeastern Alaska for centuries. It is known to be transported into Arctic regions in waters transiting northward through the Bering Strait, yet there is little recognition of this organism as a human health concern north of the Strait. Here, we describe an exceptionally large A. catenella benthic cyst bed and hydrographic conditions across the Chukchi Sea that support germination and development of recurrent, locally originating

SUBMITTER: Anderson DM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8521661 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature