Red Tide Research Makes Progress

MIT researchers succeed in reproducing toxin associated with harmful algal blooms. Endangered marine mammals and seabirds may benefit.

Understanding of the mechanism that creates the toxin behind the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) known as red tide is increasing rapidly as scientists at MIT recently found a way to synthesize brevetoxin. Brevetoxin is the molecule produced by the dinoflagellate Ptychodiscus brevis that causes a neurological syndrome commonly called paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in humans. Symptoms include numbness of lips, tongue and extremities, and in severe cases, respiratory failure.

Red tides have been associated with the deaths of manatees and dolphins in the US, especially along the Eastern seaboard. Now there is some evidence that marine wildlife continues to be affected for some time after the dinoflagellate is detectable. In Africa, critically endangered Mediterranean monk seals were badly affected by an HAB in 1997. Marine mammals consume fish which have eaten the algae. If enough algae is taken in this way, the animals suffer from neurological problems and respiratory failure. Seabirds also suffer from consuming fish that have eaten red tide algae.

Being able to predict, and eventually prevent, the dinoflagellate from producing brevetoxin would be a huge step forward in efforts to save marine animals. It will be interesting to watch this developing line of research.