Genetic relatedness of a new Japanese isolates of Alexandrium ostenfeldii bloom population with global isolates

Current Situation of Palytoxins and Cyclic Imines in Asia-Pacific Countries: Causative Phytoplankton Species and Seafood Poisoning

Among marine biotoxins, palytoxins (PlTXs) and cyclic imines (CIs), including spirolides, pinnatoxins, pteriatoxins, and gymnodimines, are not managed in many countries, such as the USA, European nations, and South Korea, because there are not enough poisoning cases or data for the limits on these biotoxins. In this article, we review unregulated marine biotoxins (e.g., PlTXs and CIs), their toxicity, causative phytoplankton species, and toxin extraction and detection protocols. Due to global warming, the habitat of the causative phytoplankton has expanded to the Asia-Pacific region. When ingested by humans, shellfish that accumulated toxins can cause various symptoms (muscle pain or diarrhea) and even death. There are no systematic reports on the occurrence of these toxins; however, it is important to continuously monitor causative phytoplankton and poisoning of accumulating shellfish by PlTXs and CI toxins because of the high risk of toxicity in human consumers.

Seasonal genotype dynamics of a marine dinoflagellate: Pelagic populations are homogeneous and as diverse as benthic seed banks

Genetic diversity is the basis for evolutionary adaptation and selection under changing environmental conditions. Phytoplankton populations are genotypically diverse, can become genetically differentiated within small spatiotemporal scales and many species form resting stages. Resting stage accumulations in sediments (seed banks) are expected to serve as reservoirs for genetic information, but so far their role in maintaining phytoplankton diversity and in evolution has remained unclear. In this study we used the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) as a model organism to investigate if (i) the benthic seed bank is more diverse than the pelagic population and (ii) the pelagic population is seasonally differentiated. Resting stages (benthic) and plankton (pelagic) samples were collected at a coastal bloom site in the Baltic Sea, followed by cell isolation and genotyping using microsatellite markers (MS) and restriction site associated DNA sequencing (RAD). High clonal diversity (98%-100%) combined with intermediate to low gene diversity (0.58-0.03, depending on the marker) was found. Surprisingly, the benthic and pelagic fractions of the population were equally diverse, and the pelagic fraction was temporally homogeneous, despite seasonal fluctuation of environmental selection pressures. The results of this study suggest that continuous benthic-pelagic coupling, combined with frequent sexual reproduction, as indicated by persistent linkage equilibrium, prevent the dominance of single clonal lineages in a dynamic environment. Both processes harmonize the pelagic with the benthic population and thus prevent seasonal population differentiation. At the same time, frequent sexual reproduction and benthic-pelagic coupling maintain high clonal diversity in both habitats.

Paralytic shellfish toxins in Peruvian scallops associated with blooms of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Paulsen) Balech & Tangen in Paracas Bay, Peru

In recent years, dense Alexandrium ostenfeldii blooms have been reported in different coastal areas. In this study, we report for the first time the occurrence of A. ostenfeldii blooms associated with the detection of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) in the Peruvian scallop (Argopecten purpuratus) from Paracas Bay. Alexandrium ostenfeldii blooms occurred at the end of summer and early fall, after the increase of riverine input and under stratified conditions following a decrease in wind velocity. The highest abundances occurred during warm sea surface temperatures (18-27 °C). High PST concentrations that exceed the maximum permissible level (800 μg STX eq. kg^-1) occurred even under low A. ostenfeldii abundances (20 × 10³ cells l^-1). Our results contribute to a better understanding of the dynamics of A. ostenfeldii in coastal systems influenced by riverine inputs and upwelling and can be used to improve monitoring programs and allow the implementation of mitigation measures along the Peruvian coast.

Unprecedented Outbreak of Harmful Algae in Pacific Coastal Waters off Southeast Hokkaido, Japan, during Late Summer 2021 after Record-Breaking Marine Heatwaves

Unprecedented large-scale harmful algae blooms (HABs) were reported in coastal waters off the south-eastern coast of Hokkaido, Japan, in mid-to-late September 2021, about a month after very intense and extensive marine heatwaves subsided. To understand the physical–biological processes associated with development of the HABs, we conducted analyses via a combination of realistic ocean circulation models, particle-tracking simulations, and satellite measurements. The satellite-derived chlorophyll concentrations (SCCs) and areal extent of the high SCCs associated with the HABs were the highest recorded since 1998. More specifically, the extent of SCCs exceeding 5 or 10 mg m−3 started to slowly increase after 20 August, when the marine heatwaves subsided, intermittently exceeded the climatological daily maximum after late August, and reached record-breaking extremes in mid-to-late September. About 70% of the SCCs that exceeded 10 mg m−3 occurred in places where water depths were <300 m, i.e., coastal shelf waters. The high SCCs were also tightly linked with low-salinity water (e.g., subarctic Oyashio and river-influenced waters). High-salinity subtropical water (e.g., Soya Warm Current water) appeared to suppress the occurrence of HABs. The expansion of the area of high SCCs seemed to be synchronized with the deepening of surface mixed layer depths in subarctic waters on the Pacific shelves. That deepening began around 10 August, when the marine heatwaves weakened abruptly. However, another mechanism was needed to explain the intensification of the SCCs in very nearshore waters off southeast Hokkaido. Particle-tracking simulations based on ocean circulation models identified three potential source areas of the HABs: the Pacific Ocean east of the Kamchatka Peninsula, the Sea of Japan, and the Sea of Okhotsk east of the Sakhalin Island. Different processes of HAB development were proposed because distance, time, and probability for transport of harmful algae from the potential source areas to the study region differed greatly between the three source areas.

Metabarcoding dissection of harmful algal bloom species in the East China Sea off Southern Zhejiang Province in late spring

The coastal region of the East China Sea (ECS) is a famous "hotspot" for harmful algal blooms (HABs) in China. We hypothesize that such frequent occurrences of diverse HABs in the ECS are determined by the presence of unique HAB species in this region. In this project, we identified 3966 amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) representing 35 classes in six protist phyla/divisions. Among the 237 annotated protist species, we identified 58 HAB species, of which 23 HAB species had never been previously reported in the ECS. Many HAB species also displayed unique spatial distribution patterns in the ECS. Notably, we identified three HAB species Prorocentrum donghaiense, Lebouridinium glaucum and Noctiluca scintillans in the site S05-1 with substantially elevated abundance, suggesting that this sampling site was experiencing a multiple-species HAB event. This study was the first attempt in applying ASV-based metabarcoding analysis in studying protist and HAB species in the ECS.

Co-Occurrence of Marine Extremes Induced by Tropical Storms and an Ocean Eddy in Summer 2016: Anomalous Hydrographic Conditions in the Pacific Shelf Waters off Southeast Hokkaido, Japan

This study proposes an analysis methodology to address how very rare marine extremes can be understood using limited data. In summer 2016, extreme weather and marine events occurred simultaneously around the Pacific shelf off southeastern Hokkaido, Japan. Six successive tropical storms brought extreme precipitation and an anticyclonic mesoscale eddy of subtropical Kuroshio water closely approached the coast, locally causing marine heat waves. We examined how these compound extremes affected oceanographic conditions on the coastal shelf by analyzing data from ship surveys in October 2016 on the Pacific shelf and outputs from a realistic ocean model. Climatologically, warm, high-salinity (33.0–33.7) subtropical water from the Okhotsk Sea (modified Soya Warm Current water) is distributed near the sea surface on the Pacific shelf in October and transported by the along-shelf boundary current. In 2016, however, a vertically well-mixed low-salinity (<33.0) layer associated with the heavy rainfall was observed at 0–50 m depth on the shelf, salinity maxima (≥33.7) associated with Kuroshio water from the mesoscale eddy occurred at 50–150 m depth on the slope, and baroclinic jets formed along the salinity front near the shelfbreak. These observed salinity structures were reproduced by a 1/50° ocean model. Particle-tracking experiments revealed that the low-salinity water originated mainly off eastern Hokkaido, where heavy rainfall events occurred in August, and was modified by mixing with Soya Warm Current water before transport to the Pacific shelf.

Harmful algal blooms and associated fisheries damage in East Asia: Current status and trends in China, Japan, Korea and Russia

Occurrences of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and associated fisheries damage have been continuously monitored since the 1970s along the coasts of East Asia. Fisheries damage comprises mass mortalities of fish and shellfish mainly by harmful dinoflagellates and raphidophytes (e.g., Chattonella antiqua/marina, Cochlodinium polykrikoides and Karenia mikimotoi), and contamination of algal toxins in shellfish in particular Diarrhetic Shellfish Toxins by Dinophysis spp. and Paralytic Shellfish Toxins by Alexandrium spp. Shellfish mass mortalities due to Heterocapsa circularisquama in Hong Kong and western Japan, and fish kills by Karlodinium digitatum are unique incidents for this region, whereas C. antiqua/marina, C. polykrikoides and K. mikimotoi are common also in other regions. Time series data showed that the highest bloom numbers were recorded in 1980 (Japan), in 1998 (Korea) and in 2003 (China), followed by decreasing trends in these countries. These data suggest a shift in microalgal species composition, from dominance by diatoms to dinoflagellates after 1980s in Korea, and from diatoms to small haptophytes and cyanobacteria after 2013 in eastern Russia. HAB species composition and the changes were compared among countries, for better understanding on current status and trend of HAB species in East Asia.

Generalist Life Cycle Aids Persistence of Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in Seasonal Coastal Habitats of the Baltic Sea

In seasonal environments, strong gradients of environmental parameters can shape life cycles of phytoplankton. Depending on the rate of environmental fluctuation, specialist or generalist strategies may be favored, potentially affecting life cycle transitions. The present study examined life cycle transitions of the toxin producing Baltic dinoflagellate Alexandrium ostenfeldii and their regulation by environmental factors (temperature and nutrients). This investigation aimed to determine whether genetic recombination of different strains is required for resting cyst formation and whether newly formed cysts are dormant. Field data (temperature and salinity) and sediment surface samples were collected from a site with recurrent blooms and germination and encystment experiments were conducted under controlled laboratory conditions. Results indicate a lack of seasonal germination pattern, set by an endogenous rhythm, as commonly found with other dinoflagellates from the Baltic Sea. Germination of quiescent cysts was triggered by temperatures exceeding 10°C and combined nutrient limitation of nitrogen and phosphorus or a drop in temperature from 16 to 10°C triggered encystment most efficiently. Genetic recombination was not mandatory for the formation of resting cysts, but supported higher numbers of resistant cysts and enhanced germination capacity after a resting period. Findings from this study confirm that A. ostenfeldii follows a generalist germination and cyst formation strategy, driven by strong seasonality, which may support its persistence and possibly expansion in marginal environments in the future, if higher temperatures facilitate a longer growth season.

A Simple Red Tide Monitoring Method using Sentinel-2 Data for Sustainable Management of Brackish Lake Koyama-ike, Japan

We proposed and validated a method for monitoring red tides in the brackish Lake Koyama-ike, Japan, using Sentinel-2 Multispectral Instrument (MSI) data with a 10 m spatial resolution. To achieve this objective, we acquired 36 spectral reflectance/Chla data points in the field from 2012 to 2018. We obtained a high correlation of Chla (R2 = 0.83) using the proposed red tide model (RIKY = [MSI Band 5 – MSI Band 4]/[MSI Band 5 + MSI Band 4]) and field data. Based on our results, the proposed model was also validated using five Sentinel-2/Chla datasets from April to August 2017. Chla and red tide distribution characteristics estimated from Sentinel-2 data hardly appeared from April to July, and then spread rapidly throughout the lake (more than 70%) in August. Thus, Sentinel-2 data proved to be a very powerful tool in monitoring red tides in Lake Koyama-ike.