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Seasonal hotspots and offshore accumulation of phycotoxins in a subtropical semi-enclosed bay: insights from Qinzhou Bay, Beibu Gulf
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Resumo(s)
Phycotoxins produced by harmful algae pose increasing risks to coastal ecosystems and aquaculture activities, yet their dynamics in subtropical semi-enclosed bays remain poorly understood. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution, composition, and potential sources of phytoplankton-associated phycotoxins in Qinzhou Bay (South China Sea) were investigated based on monthly surveys from November 2021 to November 2022. Both paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) and lipophilic marine toxins (LMTs) were widely detected, with GTX analogues, pectenotoxin-2 (PTX2), and homo-yessotoxin (hYTX) as dominant components. Toxin occurrence showed pronounced seasonality, with higher prevalence in May and June. Spatially, elevated toxin levels were consistently observed in open waters outside the bay, suggesting that hydrodynamic conditions favor the accumulation of toxigenic phytoplankton. Combined morphological and molecular analyses identified Alexandrium spp. and Gymnodinium sp. as key PST producers, whereas Dinophysis and Protoceratium reticulatum, Gonyaulax spinifera, and Lingulodinium polyedra were identified as potential sources of LMTs. The decoupling between toxin occurrence and cell abundance highlights the importance of improving sampling strategies and identification methods for toxigenic dinoflagellates. These results reveal distinct seasonal windows and offshore hotspots of phycotoxin occurrence and provide a critical baseline for future monitoring and risk management in aquaculture-dominated coastal systems.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Harmful algal blooms Phycotoxin Paralytic shellfish toxins Lipophilic marine toxin Beibu gulf
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Editora
SSRN
Licença CC
Sem licença CC