Unusual red tide of the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra during an upwelling event off the Algarve coast (SW Iberia)

Abstract

Low biomass, but highly toxic algal blooms are frequent in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon and adjacent coastal zone (southern Portugal), usually associated with specific oceanographic and nutrient conditions. In June 2019, a massive bloom of the dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedra developed along the coast, causing water discolouration, and the closure of beaches and of bivalve harvesting, with significant socioeconomic consequences. This study aims to evaluate the relationships between phytoplankton composition and environmental conditions before, during, and after the L. polyedra bloom. Water samples were collected in the Ria Formosa coastal lagoon throughout June and July 2019 for determination of nutrient and chlorophyll-a concentration using spectrophotometric methods. Phytoplankton composition and abundance were evaluated using inverted microscopy. Upwelling intensity was estimated considering a wind-based index, the cross-shore Ekman transport. Results show strong relationships between phytoplankton community composition and nutrients, particularly a positive relationship between centric diatoms and nitrogen, and a negative relationship between several dinoflagellate genera, and phosphorus and silicon. L. polyedra was not significantly associated with any nutrient variable, most likely due to its mixotrophic capabilities. A clear phytoplankton succession, typical of eastern boundary upwelling locations, was observed throughout the different bloom phases, from dominance of type II dinoflagellates (Heterocapsa, Prorocentrum) in the pre-bloom period, to dominance of L. polyedra (type V) during the bloom, and finally dominance of centric diatoms in the post-bloom period. However, the L. polyedra bloom was not associated with upwelling relaxation, but rather with an active upwelling event.