(As reported to Steve)
At a recent talk on the harmful health effects of the current HAB, Ian Gibbons and Craig Styan both talked about the origins, algal species, phycotoxins of algal blooms, ecology, and the physical impacts of algae and toxin exposure on humans.
This interesting video was shown at the event. The video can be found at https://youtu.be/fU8qWjZGa4M?si=vQIdar-PwIdwyxLbI. It shows something within the HAB water itself possesses the ability to break down cells:
Professor Ian Gibbons commented on a Facebook post, saying “Yes, the agent here is quite likely to be the same one that is in the aerosols. It is not BTX and may well be made by different species of Karenia.”
A new study has identified Karenia cristata as the species responsible for producing brevotoxins within SA’s harmful algal bloom. More than 20 researchers have contributed to the study A catastrophic marine mortality event caused by a complex algal bloom including the novel brevetoxin producer, Karenia cristata (Dinophyceae). They are Shauna A. Murray, Christopher J S Bolch, Steve Brett, Cheong Xin Chan, Mark Doubell, Hazel Farrell, Greta Gaiani, Hannah Greenhough, Gustaaf Hallegraeff, Tamsyne Smith Harding, D. Tim Harwood, Robert G. Hatfield, Neil MacDonald, Ian Moody, Hugo Bastos de Oliveira, Lesley Rhodes, Andrew Selwood, Justin Seymour, Nachshon Siboni, Anastasiia Snigirova, Nikola Streiber, Anne Rolton, Clinton Wilkinson and Kirsty Smith.
The complete article can be found at https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.10.31.685766v1.full.pdf?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAYnJpZBExM2ZjWEc3ZXprRWZUMkRLNHNydGMGYXBwX2lkEDIyMjAzOTE3ODgyMDA4OTIAAR4Q_AWrLgRBl_aZohUjwk785DtpxeJeWs2HntPPUK_lEfR-u3hExp_sGWLhuw_aem_4ZvlZhR-OxREW0I85Atlzw.
Links to further information:
Overview of Aerosolized Florida Red Tide Toxins: Exposures and Effects, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1257557/pdf/ehp0113-000618.pdf
Swimmer reflecting on their experience going for a swim at Noarlunga https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1A7aT3cevq/ “
HAB related Health problems should be reported to the “https://www.bloominalgae.com.au/”. With reference to the last line of swimmers reflecting on their experiences I wish to add that I have talked with many regular beach goers – some say they are affected and some say not – those who are not affected are definitely in a minority. Regularly going to the beach typically for some 2-4 hours to monitor what is happening I have become accustomed to experiencing temporary negative health effects depending on conditions. Often visits are followed by shortness of breath and coughing up white phlegm. Also later, at night, experiencing more severe shortness of breath sensations is typical. These symptoms have been generally temporary. About 4 weeks ago I went snorkeling following being at the beach that morning and conditions were very good. Entering the water I immediately struck by the water being much warmer than what would be normally expected. Once out I soon found myself in a cloud of suspended matter, many small (<3mm) flake like pieces of pale green leaf or algal matter that hampered visibility. Figuring this would clear as I swam out I quickly discovered swimming out with no visual references it became very disorientating. The water was clear enough itself, but the suspended particles brought visibility down to nothing at its worst. Reaching where some reef should be by using landmarks, and thinking it (the suspended matter) might clear at depth, I swam down (2.5-3m) with my left arm stretched out as was swimming blind. As gaining depth it got noticeably much darker with the thickening cloud of matter now blocking out light, until I felt my outstretched hand submerge into about 15cm of sludge on the sea floor before pulling back and surfacing. No underwater shots at this location. Abandoning the dive due to the conditions I returned to shore only about 10 minutes after entering the water. Driving back I noticed the index finger on the hand that had submerged into the sludgy sea floor was now numb and very pale with no circulation. This passed after about an hour or so. There was the expected coughing of phlegm and shortness of breath which under the circumstance was not at all surprising. This did not let up and was that night coughing up more phlegm that turned to a sick looking grey green colour. It did not feel like a cold but had all the physical symptoms apart from a runny nose. After about 9 days visited the doctor (GP) and explained all this. I got tested for all the usual suspects (colds etc) and all came back negative. Had antibiotics. Am much better now but do have a lagging shortness of breath sensation.