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Sustainable Aquatic Food Systems: Harmful Algal Bloom Consequences in a Changing Climate

A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (1 May 2024) | Viewed by 10973

Special Issue Editor


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Guest Editor
The Marine Science Institute, University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
Interests: algal biology, ecology, and culture; harmful algal bloom dynamics and management; coastal sustainability and blue economy studies

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The increasing utilization of multiple coastal and marine areas has coincided with a pronounced impact of climate change. Where food sustainability from natural harvest and culture has been given priority, it has been found that harmful algal blooms (HABs) can negatively affect human health and/or the local/national economy and, to some extent, the aquatic ecosystem.

How do HAB events impact the sustainability of natural and culture food systems in coastal and marine areas, particularly in the midst of a climate change crisis? What type of transdisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and multidisciplinary research has been carried out, and management measures have been taken to address these food sustainability concerns and issues, notably those relating to HABs and climate change? What research could be carried out in the future, and what measures could be taken?

This Special Issue of Sustainability will consider contributions from HAB and climate change experts/scientists and managers to have an updated and focused discussion and sharing of knowledge and experience relating to aquatic food system sustainability.

Prof. Dr. Rhodora V. Azanza
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • aquatic food sustainability
  • harmful algal blooms
  • coastal and marine areas
  • climate change
  • natural harvest areas
  • aquaculture areas

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1398 KiB  
Article
Resilience Approach for Assessing Fish Recovery after Compound Climate Change Effects on Algal Blooms
by Sascha Starck and Christian Wolter
Sustainability 2024, 16(14), 5932; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16145932 - 11 Jul 2024
Viewed by 1120
Abstract
In Europe, climate change will increase hydrologic extremes, resulting in shorter flood peaks and longer droughts. Extended low flows will significantly alter physico-chemical water quality, paving the way for compound, novel impacts. We analyze the Oder River catastrophe of August 2022, where the [...] Read more.
In Europe, climate change will increase hydrologic extremes, resulting in shorter flood peaks and longer droughts. Extended low flows will significantly alter physico-chemical water quality, paving the way for compound, novel impacts. We analyze the Oder River catastrophe of August 2022, where the complex interplay of increased salinity, temperature, low flows, reduced water volumes and sunlight enabled Prymnesium parvum blooming. This brackish water alga grew to 100 million cells per liter and killed about 1000 tons of fish. We assess the impact on and the recovery potential of the fish population to guide both preventing future catastrophes and enhancing river resilience. Stock decline rates were assessed while accounting for natural population fluctuations. Significant relative declines in both fish and biomass density reached up to 76% and 62%, respectively. The mid-channel was more severely affected than littoral areas. Littoral shelter, depth variability, and especially lateral and longitudinal connectivity appeared essential for fish survival and recovery. The compound nature of this catastrophic event highlights the urgent need to rethink the present mismanagement of rivers. Resilient rivers are the backbone of climate change-resilient landscapes. Therefore, we argue for holistic approaches to water resource management, aiming to increase the resilience of aquatic ecosystems. Full article
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Review

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25 pages, 2323 KiB  
Review
Fish Kills Related to Harmful Algal Bloom Events in Southeast Asia
by Maria Lourdes San Diego-McGlone, Aletta T. Yñiguez, Garry Benico, Wai Mun Lum, Kieng Soon Hii, Sandric Chee Yew Leong, Chui Pin Leaw, Mitsunori Iwataki and Po Teen Lim
Sustainability 2024, 16(23), 10521; https://doi.org/10.3390/su162310521 - 30 Nov 2024
Viewed by 913
Abstract
Fish kills in Southeast Asia are frequently associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) and cause significant ecological and economic impacts and can have negative effects on the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the fisheries they support. This paper serves as a review of [...] Read more.
Fish kills in Southeast Asia are frequently associated with harmful algal blooms (HABs) and cause significant ecological and economic impacts and can have negative effects on the sustainability of aquatic ecosystems and the fisheries they support. This paper serves as a review of fish-kill events with focus on those related to HABs within the region. It examines the causative algal species, known mechanisms of fish mortality, and socio-economic consequences in order to better understand and manage this threat to sustainable fisheries. Fish kills have been reported across multiple countries within Southeast Asia, with notable hotspots in the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and Thailand. The common harmful microalgal species span a diverse group including dinoflagellates (Karenia spp., Karlodinium spp., Margalefidinium polykrikoides, Noctiluca scintillans), raphidophytes (Chattonella spp.), diatoms (Skeletonema spp. and Chaetoceros spp.), and cyanobacteria (Trichodesmium spp.). These microalgae lead to fish kills through mechanisms such as hypoxia, physical gill damage, and ichthyotoxin production. Freshwater fish kills linked to HABs have also been documented for the Philippines, but there is no or limited information for the region. Our review highlights the widespread and recurring nature of fish kills, their impact on fisheries and aquaculture, and challenges in managing and mitigating their effects. There are efforts at enhancing management and mitigation using clay and early warning systems. However, it is essential to further improve monitoring efforts, the development and deployment of early warning systems, and viable and holistic mitigation strategies to protect the region’s aquatic resources and dependent communities, especially as aquaculture and coastal development are increasing concurrent with a changing climate that can exacerbate the risks of fish kills and HABs in Southeast Asia. Full article
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36 pages, 1320 KiB  
Review
Trace Metals in Phytoplankton: Requirements, Function, and Composition in Harmful Algal Blooms
by Dolly C. Manic, Richard D. Redil and Irene B. Rodriguez
Sustainability 2024, 16(12), 4876; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16124876 - 7 Jun 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2576
Abstract
In a constantly changing environment brought about by the climate crisis and escalated anthropogenic perturbations driven by the growing population, harmful algal bloom dynamics and their impacts are expected to shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies and comprehensive research efforts. Similar to primary productivity, [...] Read more.
In a constantly changing environment brought about by the climate crisis and escalated anthropogenic perturbations driven by the growing population, harmful algal bloom dynamics and their impacts are expected to shift, necessitating adaptive management strategies and comprehensive research efforts. Similar to primary productivity, HABs have been thought to be driven primarily by major nutrients such as N, P, and Si. However, recent investigations on the role and importance of micronutrients as limiting factors in aquatic environments have been highlighted. This paper provides a review of metal and phytoplankton interactions, with a specific emphasis on pertinent information on the influence of trace nutrients on growth, toxin production, and other underlying mechanisms related to the dynamics of HABs. Low to near-depleted levels of essential nutrients, including Fe, Cu, Zn, Se, Mn, Co, and Mo, negatively impact cell growth and proliferation of various marine and freshwater HAB species. However, evidence shows that at elevated levels, these trace elements, along with other non-essential ones, could still cause toxic effects to certain HAB species manifested by decreased photosynthetic activities, oxidative stress, ultrastructure damage, and cyst formation. Interestingly, while elevated levels of these metals mostly result in increased toxin production, Co (i.e., yessotoxins, gymnodimine, and palytoxins) and Mn (i.e., isodomoic acid, okadaic and diol esters) enrichments revealed otherwise. In addition to toxin production, releasing dissolved organic matter (DOM), including dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and humic substances, was observed as an adaptation strategy, since these organic compounds have been proven to chelate metals in the water column, thereby reducing metal-induced toxicity. Whilst current research centers on free metal toxicity of specific essential elements such as Cu and Zn, a comprehensive account of how trace metals contribute to the growth, toxin production, and other metabolic processes under conditions reflective of in situ scenarios of HAB-prone areas would yield new perspectives on the roles of trace metals in HABs. With the growing demands of the global population for food security and sustainability, substantial pressure is exerted on the agriculture and aquaculture sector, highlighting the need for effective communication of information regarding the interactions of macro- and micronutrients with HABs to improve existing policies and practices. Full article
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17 pages, 933 KiB  
Review
Expansion of Toxic Algal Blooms in Coastal and Marine Areas in the Philippines and Malaysia: Is It Climate Change Related?
by Rhodora V. Azanza, Aletta T. Yñiguez, Deo Florence Onda, Garry A. Benico, Po Teen Lim, Chui Pin Leaw and Mitsunori Iwataki
Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3304; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083304 - 15 Apr 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5141
Abstract
This paper provides a review of toxic algal blooms in the Philippine and Malaysian coastal and marine systems, considering relevant available knowledge, including climate change dimension/s in the assessment of their recorded recent expansion. The first record of human toxicity in the Philippines [...] Read more.
This paper provides a review of toxic algal blooms in the Philippine and Malaysian coastal and marine systems, considering relevant available knowledge, including climate change dimension/s in the assessment of their recorded recent expansion. The first record of human toxicity in the Philippines associated with HABs/toxic algal blooms specifically was during the bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense in the Sorsogon, Samar, and Leyte waters in 1983. Since then, the species has been identified to occur and cause blooms in about 44 sites/areas in the country. Recent government reports, i.e., 2021, 2022, and 2023, have also identified other paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) causative organisms (Gymnodinium catenatum, Alexandrium spp.) in the country. New records indicate that the presence of PSP causative species has been reported almost year-round in the Philippines. In Malaysia, PSP caused by P. bahamense was initially confined in 1981 to the state of Sabah, Malaysia Borneo, but since then, blooms of this species have been reported almost annually at different scales across the coastal waters of Sabah. P. bahamense and other cyst-forming dinoflagellates could be transported naturally or through human activities. Other eco-physiological and environment factors from the field and the laboratory have been used to study the bloom dynamics and transport of PSP causative species in several areas in the Philippines and Malaysia. More recently, plastics and other marine litter have been considered potential vectors of invasion/transport or expansion of dinoflagellates with other microorganisms. ENSO events have been observed to be stronger since 1950 compared with those recorded from 1850 to 1950. The extreme phases of the ENSO phenomenon have a strong modulating effect based on seasonal rainfall in the Philippines, with extreme ENSO warm events (El Niño) often associated with drought and stresses on water resources and agriculture/aquaculture. In contrast, cold events (La Niña) often result in excessive rainfall. The La Nina Advisories from 2021 to 2023 (18 advisories) showed the persistence of this part of ENSO, particularly in regions with recurrent and new records of HABs/toxic algal blooms. More studies and monitoring of another type of toxic algal bloom, Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP), are recommended in tropical countries such as the Philippines and Malaysia, which have extensive reef areas that harvest and culture marine fish for local and export purposes, as accelerating reports of this type of poisoning have apparently increased and causative organisms have been identified in several areas. There is an urgent need to enhance HAB/toxic algal bloom research and monitoring, particularly those related to climate change, which has apparently impacted these blooms/occurrences directly or indirectly. Local researchers and managers should be made aware of the knowledge and tools already available for their utilization and enhancement to meet local conditions and challenges for potential recurrence and expansion of HABs/toxic algal blooms. Regional and international HAB research and collaboration should be further advanced for the protection of public health and marine resources. Full article
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