Study identifies Karenia cristata as source of toxins in SA algal bloom

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Scientists believe they may have identified a little-known algal species as the source of brevetoxins within South Australia's devastating algal bloom. The algae, called Karenia cristata is now believed to have been the dominant species for the majority of the bloom's existence.

Transcript

00:00For months, South Australians have been witnessing the devastation of the ongoing algal bloom,

00:08with researchers across the country working tirelessly to understand more about it.

00:12The fact that there were people reporting respiratory symptoms was a sign that there might be something more.

00:19Now, a new study from the University of Technology Sydney has identified

00:23Karenia cristata as a species generating harmful brevitoxins, responsible for the shutdown of some shellfish production.

00:31There's five species of Karenia that we found in this bloom,

00:34and generally across the entire period, Karenia cristata was the dominant one.

00:39The findings, now being peer-reviewed, challenge previous beliefs that Karenia mikimotoi was the dominant strain.

00:46Karenia blooms everywhere in the world tend to be mixed.

00:50Blooms with different Karenia species present.

00:53The government says it's another piece in an ongoing puzzle.

00:56Nearly every week we learn something new, so this is just another important,

01:00clarifying piece of information for us to consider.

01:03It doesn't change the health advice at all.

01:05The latest algal bloom data shows no Karenia detected at 14 of 21 metropolitan sites,

01:11with low levels at the remaining seven.

01:14Good signs at the moment.

01:15We still need to make sure that we keep our foot on the accelerator

01:19in terms of surveillance.

01:21But, Professor Steer says, at offshore sites including in the Gulf St Vincent,

01:25Southern Fleurieu and Franklin Harbour,

01:28Karenia is still at moderate to high levels.

01:31Scientists agree it's an evolving situation.

01:34For all the incredible information which is out there,

01:37it's not enough to say this is exactly what's going to happen next.

01:40The latest findings, just the beginning,

01:43in what's likely to be an ongoing surveillance and research effort

01:46for waters here and abroad.

01:48End abroad.

Category

Transcript

Be the first to comment

Recommended