Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms on the Ecuadorian Coast (1997–2017): Integrating Remote Sensing and Biological Data

Mercy J Borbor-Cordova,Gladys Torres,J Rafael Bermúdez,Bonny Bayot,Willington Renteria,Ashley Casierra-Tomala,Gabriel Mantilla-Saltos

doi:10.3389/fmars.2019.00013

Abstract

Ocean climate drivers and phytoplankton life strategies interact in a complex dynamic to produce harmful algal blooms (HABs). This study aims to integrate historical biological data collected during “red tide” events along the Ecuadorian coast between 1997 and 2017 in relation to five ocean variables derived from satellite remote sensing data to explain the seasonal drivers of coastal processes associated with HABs dynamics. Seasonality of the occurrence of HABs was assessed in relation to oceanographic variables by applying multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to the Ecuadorian central coast (Zone 1) and at the outer and inner Gulf of Guayaquil (Zone 2). Sixty-seven HABs events were registered between 1997 and 2017. From a total of 40 species of phytoplankton identified, 28 were identified as non-toxic and the remaining 12 are well known to produce toxins. Dinoflagellates were the taxonomic group most highly associated with potential HABs events along the entire Ecuadorian coast. HABs appear to be constrained by the Humboldt coastal upwelling, high precipitation, and associated coastal runoff, with higher biomass abundance in the Gulf of Guayaquil than in the central coast. Results from the MCA reveal that in the central Ecuadorian coast (oligotrophic system), toxic HABs occurred with low abundance of dinoflagellates, while in the Gulf of Guayaquil (eutrophic system), toxic HABs corresponded to a high abundance of dinoflagellates. In both cases, high values were found for sea surface temperature, precipitation, and irradiance—characteristic of wet seasons or El Nino years. Non-toxic HABs occurred with a high abundance of dinoflagellates, ciliates, and centric diatoms, corresponding to colder waters and low levels of precipitation and irradiance. These findings confirm that dinoflagellates display several strategies that enhance their productive capacity when ocean conditions are warmer, allowing them to produce toxins at high or at low concentrations. Considering that the Gulf of Guayaquil is essential to tourism, the shrimp industry, fisheries, and international shipping, these findings strongly suggest the need to establish an ecosystem health research program to monitor HABs and the development of a preventive policy for tourism and public health in Ecuador.

Highlights

Global coastal waters have experienced events known as “red tides” that are related to phytoplankton blooms, micro-algal blooms, and toxic algal or potentially harmful algal blooms (HABs) (Hallegraeff, 1993; Anderson, 2014; Anderson et al, 2017)
This study confirms that HAB dynamics in the Ecuadorian coastal zone seem to be constrained by the Humboldt upwelling system, high precipitation, and terrestrial nutrients from the Guayas Basin, aligning with other HAB studies in coastal ecosystems and upwelling zones (Kudela et al, 2005; Vila and Masó, 2005; Borbor-Cordova et al, 2006; Anderson et al, 2017; Conde et al, 2018; Oyarzún and Brierley, 2018)
The findings of this study reveal that a higher biomass of HABs was found in Zone 2 than in Zone 1 when considering eutrophic and oligotrophic systems, respectively, based on chla concentration

Summary

Introduction

Global coastal waters have experienced events known as “red tides” that are related to phytoplankton blooms, micro-algal blooms, and toxic algal or potentially harmful algal blooms (HABs) (Hallegraeff, 1993; Anderson, 2014; Anderson et al, 2017). HABs may take place when a group of microalgae—photosynthetic cells found in the sea, brackish water, and freshwater—grow to very high numbers, producing toxic or harmful effects on shellfish, fish, marine mammals, birds, and humans (Hallegraeff, 1993; Zingone and Enevoldsen, 2002; Fleming et al, 2006; Jiménez and Gualancañay, 2006; Pitcher et al, 2017). High-density algal blooms may cause anoxia to marine life, killing it and blocking sunlight on the surface of the water column. Oceanographic and climatic conditions play an important role in HAB occurrence, which may be constrained by upwelling systems and stratification of the water column provoked by low wind stress and marine heat waves (Hallegraeff, 2010; Díaz et al, 2013; Pitcher et al, 2017). Anthropogenic nutrient loading from agricultural and urban watersheds, ballast water discharges from vessels, and nutrients released from mariculture activities, among others, are factors that drive HABs in coastal waters (Moore et al, 2008; Hallegraeff, 2010; Davidson et al, 2014; Berdalet et al, 2016)

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