Marine Harmful Algae

Dear Colleagues,

Microalgae, also referred to as phytoplankton or planktonic algae, are single-celled photosynthetic organisms usually found in marine environments. The biodiversity of microalgae is enormous. They are the primary producer in the aquatic food web, providing an essential ecological function for all aquatic life. However, some of these microalgae species are harmful and responsible for causing harmful algal blooms (HABs). HABs can cause serious negative impacts on the economy, fishery/seafood industry, environment, and even recreational activities. It should be stressed that some of these causative agents produce toxins that can cause human illness and even death. These biotoxins can be accumulated in seafood. Such contaminations of seafood with biotoxins could negatively affect the shellfish and aquaculture industries. Therefore, there is an urgent need to understand the mechanism of the cause of algal bloom and toxin biosynthesis by the harmful algae. With modern and new technologies available today, e.g., different omics techniques, more of such underlying mechanisms and molecular pathways will be disclosed. This Special Issue aims to promote knowledge and publish new findings on all types of researches related to marine harmful algae. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following:

• The distribution, biodiversity and phylogenetic studies of harmful algae;
• The occurrence, ecology, physiology, toxicology of harmful algal blooms;
• The control and mitigation of harmful algal blooms;
• Toxin production and ichthyotoxicity of harmful microalgae;
• Allelopathic interactions between harmful algae and other microorganisms;
• Applications of marine harmful algae;
• Molecular mechanism and omics research in harmful algae;
• Rapid identification methods for harmful microalgae.

Research and review articles, as well as case studies, regarding recent advances related to marine harmful algae are welcome.

Prof. Dr. Wang Fat Fred Lee
Guest Editor

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