Recent Advances in Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater and Marine Systems

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are natural events that have become one of the main hazards to worldwide coastal resources and activities in recent decades. Amongst the HAB-associated socio-environmental and public health impacts are mass mortalities of native fauna and farmed organisms, extensive sanitary closures of aquaculture industries, and human poisoning outbreaks, including fatalities. These problems have increased the pressure on the international scientific community to make advances in understanding the factors that modulate HABs and their impacts. Therefore, the patterns of variability in HABs and their links with climatic and anthropogenic stressors need to be analysed at a spatiotemporal scale.​

In this Topic, we welcome the submission of papers based on field and laboratory studies that involve new advances in understanding HAB occurrences in freshwater, coastal, and oceanic systems worldwide. We encourage research that reports on the following: (i) new HAB detection methods, (ii) improved sampling strategies, (iii) new reports of toxic or harmful algal species, (iv) emerging toxins and new affected areas, (v) the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities on the occurrence of HABs and their impacts, (vi) physiology experiments and toxicological impacts, and (vii) modelling studies of HAB dynamics.

Dr. Patricio A. Díaz
Dr. Gonzalo Álvarez
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Environments environments	4.3	5.7	2014	19.2 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Hydrobiology hydrobiology	-	5.2	2022	22.5 Days	CHF 1200	Submit
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	3.2	5.6	2013	16.5 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Oceans oceans	2.5	2.6	2020	35 Days	CHF 1600	Submit
Toxins toxins	4.0	8.3	2009	19.5 Days	CHF 2700	Submit
Water water	3.5	6.7	2009	18.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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All Toxins Water JMSE Oceans Hydrobiology Environments

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23 pages, 33068 KB  

Open AccessArticle

TMT Quantitative Proteomics Reveals the Molecular Mechanism Behind Meat Quality Changes in Nile Tilapia Exposed to Environmental Concentrations of Microcystin-LR

by Yichao Li, Huarong Xiao, Jun Xie, Liping Liu, Fajun Jiang, Jingqiu Liao and Ermeng Yu

Toxins 2026, 18(1), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18010039 - 12 Jan 2026

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Abstract

This study investigated the effects of chronic MC-LR exposure (0 μg/L [Control], 1 μg/L [M1], 3 μg/L [M3], 10 μg/L [M10], and 30 μg/L [M30]) on the muscle nutrient composition, meat quality, and muscle proteomic profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). [...] Read more.

This study investigated the effects of chronic MC-LR exposure (0 μg/L [Control], 1 μg/L [M1], 3 μg/L [M3], 10 μg/L [M10], and 30 μg/L [M30]) on the muscle nutrient composition, meat quality, and muscle proteomic profile of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). In the high-dose group (M30), MC-LR exposure compromised the muscle antioxidant status of Nile tilapia, resulting in reduced meat quality, as evidenced by decreased pH value and water-holding capacity, elevated lipid/protein oxidation, and altered texture parameters (shear force and fragmentation index). Proteomic analysis further revealed a downregulation of proteins associated with ribosomes, suggesting an impairment of muscle protein synthesis in the M30 group. Moreover, despite chronic exposure, only low levels of MC-LR accumulated in the muscle tissue, indicating a negligible health risk to consumers. Collectively, these findings offered valuable insights into the impact of environmental MC-LR contamination on fish muscle quality and nutritional value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater and Marine Systems)

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16 pages, 4374 KB  

Open AccessArticle

Development and Laboratory Validation of a Real-Time Quantitative PCR Assay for Rapid Detection and Quantification of Heterocapsa bohaiensis

by Mengfan Cai, Ruijia Jing, Yiwen Zhang and Jingjing Zhan

J. Mar. Sci. Eng. 2026, 14(1), 98; https://doi.org/10.3390/jmse14010098 - 4 Jan 2026

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Abstract

Heterocapsa bohaiensis is an emerging harmful dinoflagellate increasingly reported from coastal regions of the Pacific. However, an available molecular assay offering rapid and sensitive detection is still lacking. This study developed a SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the identification and [...] Read more.

Heterocapsa bohaiensis is an emerging harmful dinoflagellate increasingly reported from coastal regions of the Pacific. However, an available molecular assay offering rapid and sensitive detection is still lacking. This study developed a SYBR Green real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay for the identification and quantification of H. bohaiensis. Species-specific primers (F: 5′-CCATCGAACCAGAACTCCGT-3′; R: 5′-AGTGTAGTGCACCGCATGTC-3′) were designed and the assay was optimized and evaluated using laboratory cultures for specificity, sensitivity, and quantitative performance. Primer screening and melt-curve analysis confirmed that the selected primer pair produced a single, specific amplification peak for H. bohaiensis, with no cross-reactivity observed in non-target species (Chlorella pyrenoidosa, Phaeocystis globosa, Skeletonema costatum, Alexandrium tamarense) or mixed algal communities. The standard curve displayed strong linearity (R² = 0.9868) and a high amplification efficiency (102.5%). The limit of detection (LOD) was approximately 2–3 cells per reaction, as determined from 24 replicates of 5-cell equivalents and verified at ~2.7-cell equivalents. This sensitivity was comparable to or exceeded that reported for assays targeting other HABs forming dinoflagellates. Quantitative results derived from the qPCR assay closely matched microscopic cell counts, with a relative error of 10.79%, falling within the acceptable threshold for phytoplankton surveys. In summary, this study established and validates a species-specific qPCR assay for H. bohaiensis under controlled laboratory conditions. The method shows strong potential for incorporation into HAB monitoring programs, early-warning systems, and future ecological investigations of this emerging species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater and Marine Systems)

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18 pages, 975 KB  

Open AccessReview

Ecotoxicology of Planktothrix agardhii Cyanometabolites and Pure Microcystins: Selected Aspects of Interactions, Toxicity, and Biodegradation

by Magdalena Toporowska

Toxins 2026, 18(1), 24; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxins18010024 - 1 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1320

Abstract

Cyanobacterial blooms are an escalating ecological concern driven by eutrophication and climate warming. Bloom-forming cyanobacteria can produce a broad spectrum of bioactive secondary metabolites. Among these, microcystins (MCs) are the most recognised hepatotoxins; however, natural populations of Planktothrix agardhii also synthesise numerous non-ribosomal [...] Read more.

Cyanobacterial blooms are an escalating ecological concern driven by eutrophication and climate warming. Bloom-forming cyanobacteria can produce a broad spectrum of bioactive secondary metabolites. Among these, microcystins (MCs) are the most recognised hepatotoxins; however, natural populations of Planktothrix agardhii also synthesise numerous non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) with poorly understood ecological roles and combined toxic effects. This review demonstrated the role of mixtures of P. agardhii cyanometabolites (oligopeptides and biogenic compounds) in cyanobacterial proliferation, emphasising the rapid evolution of chemotypes. The role of P. agardhii oligopeptides other than MCs in the cyanobacterial toxicity to duckweeds is also discussed. Laboratory experiments indicated that crude extracts containing complex peptide mixtures may inhibit Spirodela polyrhiza growth more strongly than pure MC-LR, suggesting synergistic effects within natural metabolite assemblages. Particular attention is given to variant-specific degradation pathways of MCs within duckweed-associated microbiota. By integrating biochemical, ecological, and microbiological perspectives, this synthesis outlines emerging directions in the study of mixtures of cyanobacterial peptides and other compounds, microbial degraders, and macrophyte-associated bioremediation strategies aimed at mitigating cyanotoxin risks in aquatic environments. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Recent Advances in Harmful Algal Blooms in Freshwater and Marine Systems)

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