Expansion of the benthic dinoflagellate Ostreopsis with climate change: health risks assessment and policy strategies for management

Harmful Algal Blooms and Climate Change Scientific Symposium, 19-22 May 2015, Gӧteborg, Sweden.-- 1 page

Ostreopsis is a tropical benthic dinoflagellate genus that produces palytoxin (PLTX) and analogues, one of the most potent non-protein marine toxins known. Ostreopsis species grow well in shallow waters as epiphyte, mainly embedded in a self-produced mucilage sheath covering macroalgae, corals or rocks. In tropical seas, Ostreopsis has been related to human intoxication -sometimes fatal- by ingestion of contaminated marine food. The data collected along the last 20 years indicate the potential expansion of this toxic organism in temperate waters, including the Mediterranean, as a result of climate warming and anthropogenic impacts in the coastal zone. Nowadays, Ostreopsis recurrent proliferations in these latitudes constitute a health and environmental emergent problem, which needs a strategy for management at different levels. Here we summarize the main elements that should be considered in order to explore the future impacts of the Ostreopsis blooms under a climate change scenario: - To ascertain the present distribution of the genus worldwide. - Improve monitoring methodological limitations (early warning systems). - Increase the understanding of Ostreopsis ecophysiology and toxicity. - Ascertain risks for the environment (e.g. macrofauna mortality, food webs alteration). - Human health risk assessment, concerning seafood intoxication, respiratory and cutaneous irritations. - Multidisciplinary and coordination structures to elaborate prevention and mitigation plans.

Peer Reviewed