<
https://theconversation.com/the-tiny-microalgae-behind-south-australias-harmful-algal-bloom-is-among-the-most-toxic-ever-tested-286557>
"Over the past 15 months, one of the country’s worst marine environmental
disasters has been unfolding in South Australia.
A harmful algal bloom expanded in many coastal seas, killing thousands of fish,
birds, shellfish and marine mammals. Even iconic species such as giant
cuttlefish and seadragons have washed up dead on beaches.
These blooms happen when particular species of microscopic algae accumulate in
a body of water. Several hundred species of microalgae produce toxins that, in
high concentrations, can be harmful to humans and deadly to marine creatures.
Our new research shows
Karenia cristata, the rare microalgal species behind
this catastrophic bloom, is among the most toxic species to marine life ever
studied. It’s capable of killing zooplankton, a type of small marine animal, in
concentrations of just five cells per millilitre of seawater."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
