Harmful Algae

Abstract

This chapter provides the first overview of the disruptive impacts of HABs on the blue economy, with a particular focus on the application of science and technology in their management and mitigation. We present case studies of HABs in five different locations as examples of their effects on different sectors of the blue economy. We also review the main technological advances in recent decades, and current needs for improved understanding of HAB dynamics, monitoring, and forecasting. An evident gap in dealing with HABs in the frame of the blue economy is the inequity in resources available for monitoring worldwide. While developed countries count on advanced (and even impressive) tools for monitoring and early warning (e.g., automated tools, oceanographic moored instruments, forecast models), efficient monitoring in most developing countries is still missing and, when performed, mainly focused on seafood products intended for export. Basic research on HABs in these countries is also frequently deficient, with modeling capabilities for early warning virtually non-existent. Considering that many (truly) sustainable blue economy activities are developed precisely in vulnerable areas with low economic power, the need Please note that this is an author-produced PDF of an article accepted for publication following peer review. The definitive publisher-authenticated version is available on the publisher Web site.for the development of affordable and sustainable technologies becomes critical, allowing for the efficient monitoring of HABs.

Mitigation of Marine Dinoflagellates Using Hydrogen Peroxide (H2O2) Increases Toxicity towards Epithelial Gill Cells

“…Some coastal regions of the world are experiencing an increase in harmful algal blooms (HABs), especially under the ongoing climate change scenario [ 1 ]. These HABs have exerted significant negative impacts on human and environmental health, tourism, economies and worldwide aquaculture production [ 2 , 3 ]. These deleterious impacts produced by HABs present an important challenge to the institutions responsible for the management of coastal resources, resulting in the implementations of a wide variety of mitigation strategies, among which the use of chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ), stands out.…”