Dinoflagellate toxins recorded during an extensive coastal bloom in northern Chile Harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly known as red tides, are primarily caused by the accelerated growth of phytoplankton due to a variety of oceanographic factors. Dinoflagellates and diatoms are often the phytoplankton groups associated with HABs [1-2]. In the present study we investigated a coastal bloom occurring along the city of Antofagasta, located on Atacama Desert, Chile. This particular bloom began in late November 2018 and continued into February 2019. The bloom extended more than 30 kilometers from the coast to the open ocean and over 600 kilometers along the coastline from the northernmost Chilean city to the south of Antofagasta. This bloom expanded even more in 2019, to approximately 1,500 kilometers in length, reaching the coast of Peru near Arequipa city. A NASA WorldView platform was established to monitor chlorophyll a fluorescence on a daily basis from December 2018. Chlorophyll a values estimated by this platform remained over 10 mg/m3 until the beginning of March 2019 (Fig. 1). This is one of the most extensive and persistent algal blooms in Chilean history. Microalgal blooms of this scale may have sporadically occurred in this region in the past, but their magnitude has never been investigated using satellite images of chlorophyll fluorescence. Here we studied this event and established a set of HAB monitoring methodologies to understand microalgal dynamics in this region. Approximately 100 phytoplankton species are capable of producing toxins. Some of these toxins are harmful to humans, even resulting in fatal outcomes in developing nations (e.g. South Africa, Madagascar and Comoros, among others) [3, 4]. The causes of the different poisoning cases can be attributed to a variety of microorganisms, toxins (derivatives and analogs), and even vector organisms concentrating these compounds (e.g. puffer fish) [3, 5-6]. We collected the seawater samples from five different stations, using a boat along the coast of Antofagasta in December 2018, namely CAP, SR, PUERTO, NR, and 2ED. These samples were concentrated in two steps: First, we towed an adapted conical 20 μm mesh for approximately 100 meters from a moving boat. Secondly, the concentrated volume was again filtered in the laboratory through a borosilicate MGA grade membrane with a 1.6 μm pore size (Munktell Ahlstrom). It should be noted that 30 mL of unfiltered water instead of 60 mL were filtered through borosilicate membrane in the case of station 2ED. Lastly, toxins were extracted from the borosilicate membrane filters with methanol, the sample extracts filtered through a PVDF membrane, pore size 0.2 μm, and the filtrates analyzed by HPLC/MS/MS. (Table 1). Prorocentrum micans was the dominant species in all stations. Other species observed belonged to the genera Tripos, Peridinium, Dinophysis, Protoperidinium, and Gymnodinium (Fig. 2). Preliminary observations confirmed the presence of four of the five most reported genera of toxin producing dinoflagellates (Fig. 2, images 7-11) [3]. Interestingly, Dictyocha sp., a rare species in this region, was observed in some samples. High biomass blooms of this genus may be harmful to fish due to development of anoxic conditions (Fig. 2, image 3). It has been shown that Dictyocha spp. produce toxins, but they have not been fully characterized [7]. These dinoflagellate genera observed are in accordance with the different toxins recorded. Species within the Dinophysis and Protoceratium genera are known to be producers of pectonoxins (PTXs) and yessotoxins (YTXs) Fig. 1. Chlorophyll a estimates along the northern Chilean coast captured by satellite images. Region of Antofagasta is pointed by the red dotted square and Antofagasta city is shown by the red dot. The cell image shows Prorocentrum sp., the main bloom species of this HAB event. Image A shows some dead jellyfish observed at sampling points and image B shows squid from a massive squid mortality in Bahía Inglesa (coastal bay close to latitude 27 S). Satellite images were taken from Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS) and Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (NPP) satellites imagery viewer. 14 HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 62 / 2019 Harmful Algae News An IOC Newsletter on Toxic Algae and Algal Blooms No. 62 - June 2019 www.ioc-unesco.org/hab The 18th International Conference for Harmful Algae Twenty five years after the 6th International Conference on Toxic Marine Phytoplankton (6th ICHA, 1993), experts on harmful algal bloom Fig. 2. Ice-breaking at La Cité, Nantes, during the 18th ICHA, 2018 SHA society members were kept very busy, fully engaged with the evaluation of student presentations to choose the candidates for the Maureen Keller awards, the election of Yasumoto lifetime achievement awards, voting for future con Scientific and social scenes from participants during the 18th ICHA, Nantes, 2018. HARMFUL ALGAE NEWS NO. 62 / 2019 3 Scientific Highlights of the 18th Inter national Conference on Harmful Algae Plenary talks and Yasumoto awards Each morning and afternoon session began with plenary speakers who covered a number of topics including: climate change impacts on inland and coastal eutrophication (Anna M. Michalek), chem Maria Immacolata Ferrante investigated the Pseudo-nitzschia multistriata sexual cycle and found the gene that determines the mating type in this pennate diatom. Pseudo-nitzschia is found globally in the Tara Oceans dataset and the genes expressed during the sexual phase can track this important but Fig. 2. Extracellular vesicles in Alexandrium minutum. From left to right: Vegetative cell under light microscopy; epifluorescence microscopy showing the cell chloroplasts in red; vesicles in green due to lipid stain PKH67, and composite of the epifluorescence images, theca of the cell is in blue, Fig. 3. Co-evolutionary arms race. Diatoms sense presence of copepods via presence of chemical cues (copepodamides), and respond by producing domoic acid which then affect the copepods (reduced escape response). Photo courtesy of Nina Lundholm. War (Pat Tester) the socio economics session was as di Fig. 5. IAEA Technical Cooperation project: the Caribbean team having a coordination meeting with the boss. produced by Alexandrium minutum and demonstrated that these EVs were produced in laboratory cultures and in situ bloom conditions. The EVs appeared adhered to the cell surface of A. minutum c Global HABs, Global HAB Status Reporting, and Climate Change HABs and climate change attracted a record of 139 abstracts at the Nantes Conference. Research towards predicting the impact of climate change has progressed from single factor growth experiments (e.g. temperature, pCO2) with limited HAB s Barcodes and long term changes in HAB distributions Thal-ass-ee-oh-CY-ra, Key-TOSS-er-us,Pro -toe-pear-a-DIN-ee-um, Sir-A-she-um... this might be a parody of a (very short) genetic barcode or it might be gibberish. It is in fact a sample from a list of phytoplankton genera on flashcards designed to of a highly dynamic biogeographical boundary. Taxonomic uncertainties exist in Chilean waters too, and more recently (2006) PSP was detected as far north as Bahía Mejillones in 23 S. Pre-instrumental proxies indicate climate trends on secular and longer time scales. Luminescent bands in Porites cora Unprecedented bloom of the cyano bacteria Aphanizomenon in a coastal bay of El Salvador Cyanobacteria bloom in marine, freshwater and estuarine ecosystems [1]. It is widely recognized that increased nutrient inputs in waterbodies may enhance cyanobacterial growth, resulting in harmful algal blooms [ Fig. 2. Aphanizomenon fascicles found in Bahía de Jiquilisco observed using an inverted microscope. providing video material, the Secretary of Scientific Research from the University of El Salvador for logistic support, and the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (MARN) for providing wate Dinoflagellate toxins recorded during an extensive coastal bloom in northern Chile Harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly known as red tides, are primarily caused by the accelerated growth of phytoplankton due to a variety of oceanographic factors. Dinoflagellates and diatoms are often the phytoplank Table 1. Toxin concentration per sample. Toxins screened included PTX1 (pectenotoxin-1), PTX2 (pectenotoxin-2) and YTX (yessotoxin). DA (domoic acid), SPX1 (spirolide-1), GYM (gymnodimine), OA (okadaic acid), DTX1 (dinophysistoxin-1), DTX2 (dinophysistoxin-2), AZA1 (azaspiracid-1), AZA2 (azaspiracid HABs in Paradise revisited Fig. 1. Map of Rangitāhua/Kermadec Islands. Over 700 kilometres to the northeast of New Zealand are the largely uninhabited Rangitāhua/Kermadec Islands (Fig. 1). The islands fall within New Zealands exclusive economic zone and several recent expeditions have resulted in Table 1. Dinoflagellate species identified in epiphytic samples collected from Rangitāhua/Kermadec Islands, 2013-2018. Species Amphidinium carterae A.cf. massartii Coolia malayensis Gambierdiscus australes* G. honu G. polynesiensis Ostreopsis sp. 3 Prorocentrum cf. emarginatum P. hoffmanianum P Epiphytic dinoflagellates from Niue, South Pacific Ocean cal Assistance to Travellers (IAMAT) [6] suggests avoidance of reef fish over 2.7 kg and avoidance of the liver, intestine, head and roe of smaller reef fish. Gambierdiscus sp. was reported in Niue in 2008, although no molecular confirmation Fig. 2. Sampling site at Avatele Beach (left) and coastal view (right), Niue. The ICMSS is an initiative of researchers from various international institutions, including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), related to the safety of molluscan shellfish. It seeks to be The ICES-IOC Working Group on Harmful Algal Bloom Dynamics 2019 Meeting The International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) - Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC) Working Group on Harmful Algal Bloom Dynamics (WGHABD) met from the 2nd 4th April 2019. The meeting wa Intergovernmental Panel convenes to set priorities for international cooperation on mitigating the effects of Harmful Algae The Fourteenth Session of the IOC Intergovernmental Panel on Harmful Algal Blooms (IPHAB) was held at UNESCO Headquarters, Paris, from 24th to 26th April 2019. The Panel review GlobalHAB and the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) GlobalHAB webpage (www.globalhab.info) On 1st January 2016, the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (adopted by world leaders in September 2015 at an historic U GlobalHAB APPLICATION FORM FOR ENDORSEMENT OF ACTIVITIES To be completed in English and send to the Chair of the GlobalHAB SSC. For further guidance consult the Chair and/or Vicechair of the GlobalHAB SSC. Date: 1. PROJECT TITLE: Planned duration of activity, from : 2. APPLICANT(S): Name and tit GlobalHAB International Coordi nated Activities Some international coordinated activities listed in the Science and Implementation Plan are being led by the GlobalHAB SSC because their implementation depends on international coordination and funding. The SSC has assumed this responsibility for their Scientists interested in the topic can contact Leonardo Guzmán (leonardo. guzman@ifop.cl) and Henrik Enevoldsen (h.enevoldsen@bio.ku.dk). May 2020 Planning is underway for a workshop on Modelling and prediction of harmful algal blooms, from event response to multi-decadal projections to be held in ISSHAs Corner The International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae (ISSHA) convened the 18th International Conference on Harmful Algae (ICHA 18), held in Nantes, France, from 21th to 26th October 2018. The ISSHA Council had two opportunistic meetings: the first before the conference on Sunday 21 Esther Garcés (Spain) Ian Jenkinson (China, France) Ingrid Sassenhagen (France, Germany) Keith Davidson (United Kingdom) Henrik Enevoldsen (Denmark) Luis Mafra (Brazil) Shauna Murray (Australia) Marta Estrada (Spain) Philipp Hess (France) Ichiro Imai (Japan) Dedmer B. Van de Wall (Netherlands) Steff logic interactions, chemical ecology and microalgal physiology. Marc Long (Best Oral Presentation) Northeast Fisheries Science Center, United States) in Milford Connecticut, studying phytoplankton physiology with Dr. Gary H. Wikfors. The work presented at ICHA2018 was part of his Ph.D. research, r She continued her research in toxicology with a thesis project on the development of new cell models of the intestinal barrier (tri-culture and co-culture with epithelial cells, goblet cells and glial enteric cells), a tool for a best evaluation of toxicity of 6 phycotoxins. This thesis is supervise Anna Godhe - In Memoriam Anna Godhe passed away on April 4th 2019 after a strenuous fight with cancer. Her untimely passing represents a big loss for the scientific community. We all remember her true passion for research, her important contributions to marine phytoplankton ecology and her open mind Forthcoming events ICHA 2020 19th ICHA October 11-16, 2020. La Paz, B.C.S. Mexico Registration will open during 2019. ISSHA members can register at special rates! Participants wishing to receive the ISSHA member rate for conference registration must join ISSHA or renew their memberships prior to t Eds-in-chief Beatriz Reguera, IEO, Vigo, Spain Eilen Bresnan, MARLAB, Marine Scotland Science, UK Regional Editors Caribbean: Ernesto Mancera jemancerap@unal.edu.co Europe: Philip Hess Philipp.Hess@ifremer.fr Mediterranean Sea: Adriana Zingone zingone@szn.it India: K.B. Padmakumar kbpadmakumar@g