Nature

Massive Killer Algae Bloom is Making Thousands of Victims off California

Due to the domoic acid

By Stefan Anitei, Science Editor

30th of April 2007, 09:39 GMT

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This poison has made many victims amongst the sea-food consumers till now.

The domoic acid is a toxin synthesized especially by microscopic diatoms and red algae.
It was first isolated from a red alga named in Japanese "duomoi" and used against gut worms. But high levels kill you, too, not just the worms, as it attacks the brain cells and even when it does not kill you, you will suffer from memory loss, nausea and seizures.

Now a severe bloom of domoic acid producing sea algae has triggered a severe epidemic amongst the populations of sea birds and mammals in California. Birds, dolphins and sea lions have been brought on shores by waves from San Diego to San Francisco

Bay. 40 birds with domoic acid poisoning symptoms have been taken to the International Bird Rescue Center in San Pedro.

"In previous seasons, the center might see seven birds a week. I have been doing this work for 35 years and I have never seen anything like this as far as the number of species affected, other than an oil spill,'' said director Jay Holcomb.

The tiny algae are at the base of the marine food chain. They are ingested by small crustaceans and shellfish, these ones by small fish, the latter by big fish and the big fish by birds, mammals and people.

The poison does not affect people who swim; this happens only if they ingest contaminated seafood.

"The algae population increases or "blooms'' every year as the ocean waters warm but this year's bloom seems early, extensive and "very, very thick,'' said David Caron, who teaches in the biological sciences department at University of Southern California.

"In five years of study I have not seen a bloom this large at this particular time of year. It's having an extraordinary impact on pelicans and many other species. There are conceivably thousands of animals being affected,'' Caron said.
"The Wetland and Wildlife Care Center in Huntington Beach had received 73 sick or dead birds since Sunday," said assistant director Lisa Birkle.

"The toxin has been swifter and deadlier than usual. The concentration of the toxin is so great this year that we haven't had a chance to react to it. Normally we're able to flush out the toxin with a treatment regimen ... This year they're just coming in dead.''

"Fourteen sea lions have been treated for domoic acid poisoning at the Pacific Marine Mammal Center in Laguna Beach. Seven died," said Michele Hunter, the center's director.

The California's Department of Health Services warned about eating sport-harvested shellfish, anchovies, sardines, lobsters and crabs. The warning runs till October 31.

TAGS:

algae | domoic | toxin | bird | mammal

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