4SEAS

Marine life is very diverse and incredible. Animals living in the sea and their biology are often surprising, i.e. the blue whale – the largest animal in the world that supposed to be dangerous predator is in fact harmless and feeds zooplankton. On the other hand, phytoplankton are very small autotrophic organisms related to plants. Some of those petite “plants” are very toxic and dangerous, especially when they bloom.

Some algal blooms are toxic to plants and animals. Toxic compounds they produce can make their way up the food chain, resulting in animal mortality. When the algae die or are eaten, neuro- and hepatotoxins are released which can kill animals and may pose a threat to humans. An example of algal toxins working their way into humans is the case of shellfish poisoning. Biotoxins created during algal blooms are taken up by shellfish (mussels, oysters), leading to these human foods acquiring the toxicity and poisoning humans.