About this Research Topic
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a significant concern in marine ecosystems, driven by environmental factors such as eutrophication, climate change, and nutrient composition shifts, alongside anthropogenic influences like industrial and agricultural discharges. These blooms can produce marine biotoxins, which are categorized into water-soluble and fat-soluble compounds, and can accumulate in filter-feeding organisms such as bivalve molluscs.
Human exposure to these toxins occurs through the consumption of contaminated seafood, contact with tainted water, or inhalation of aerosolized toxins, leading to various poisoning syndromes. Current foodborne diseases linked to these toxins include paralytic, neurotoxic, amnesic, diarrhetic, and azaspiracid shellfish poisoning, as well as ciguatera fish poisoning. Despite advancements in understanding the ecology and distribution of HABs, there remain gaps in knowledge regarding the genetic differences in bivalves' capacity to ingest toxic phytoplankton and the balance between toxin uptake and detoxification processes.
This Research Topic aims to explore the global circulation of harmful algal blooms and associated marine biotoxins, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental pollution. Our objective is to understand the modifications in frequency, seasonal patterns, and locations of HAB hotspots, as well as the diversity of causative species. By examining these factors, we seek to predict future trends and scenarios, offering insights into potential strategies for mitigating the impacts of HABs on marine ecosystems and public health.
To explore the occurrence and impact of harmful algal blooms and marine biotoxins, we welcome the contribution of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Opinions, Methods, and Perspective articles addressing the following themes:
• Innovative approaches to monitoring and predicting HABs and marine biotoxins;
• Genetic studies on bivalves' capacity to ingest toxic phytoplankton;
• Strategies for reducing toxin accumulation in marine organisms;
• The role of climate change and environmental pollution in HAB dynamics;
• Advances in detection and analysis techniques for marine biotoxins.
Human exposure to these toxins occurs through the consumption of contaminated seafood, contact with tainted water, or inhalation of aerosolized toxins, leading to various poisoning syndromes. Current foodborne diseases linked to these toxins include paralytic, neurotoxic, amnesic, diarrhetic, and azaspiracid shellfish poisoning, as well as ciguatera fish poisoning. Despite advancements in understanding the ecology and distribution of HABs, there remain gaps in knowledge regarding the genetic differences in bivalves' capacity to ingest toxic phytoplankton and the balance between toxin uptake and detoxification processes.
This Research Topic aims to explore the global circulation of harmful algal blooms and associated marine biotoxins, particularly in the context of climate change and environmental pollution. Our objective is to understand the modifications in frequency, seasonal patterns, and locations of HAB hotspots, as well as the diversity of causative species. By examining these factors, we seek to predict future trends and scenarios, offering insights into potential strategies for mitigating the impacts of HABs on marine ecosystems and public health.
To explore the occurrence and impact of harmful algal blooms and marine biotoxins, we welcome the contribution of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Opinions, Methods, and Perspective articles addressing the following themes:
• Innovative approaches to monitoring and predicting HABs and marine biotoxins;
• Genetic studies on bivalves' capacity to ingest toxic phytoplankton;
• Strategies for reducing toxin accumulation in marine organisms;
• The role of climate change and environmental pollution in HAB dynamics;
• Advances in detection and analysis techniques for marine biotoxins.
Keywords: Harmful Algal Blooms, Eutrophication Effects, Marine Biotoxins, Toxin Accumulation, Phytoplankton Genetic Studies, Climate Change and Algal Blooms, Nutrient Pollution in Oceans, Algal Bloom Seasonal Patterns
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
