Biotoxins: The Phantom Menace

Last month, the central coast of California experienced an outbreak of an algae biotoxin affecting the resident sea lion population called Domoic acid.

This acid is bad news for hundreds of sea lions.

Domoic acid is a neurotoxin that attacks the hippocampus, effecting coordination, memory and causing serious neurological damage in only two days. Scary, right?

Once toxic algae blooms, the acid travels quickly through the ocean ecosystem to the top of the food chain. As a result, sea lions are now feeling the effects of Domoic acid.

Produced by algae when there is an increase of nitrogen in ocean water, Domoic acid is harmful to humans, resulting in the closing of fisheries in Monterey and Santa Cruz in June. While seasonal wind currents naturally cause algae to produce blooms with Domoic acid, they do not maintain toxic algae blooms.

In light of the seriousness of the situation, marine mammal hospitals are hard at work to rescue the affected sea lions.

Even so, many are dying even after being treated. Even as fisheries re-open, sea lions continue to suffer.

What’s the main problem? We don’t know where exactly the harmful algea blooms occur. Marine biologists are attempting to determine the source of the problem soon, but as of now there is no clear answer.

The world’s oceans are delicate and need to maintain a balance of proper nutrients to be considered healthy. Toxic algae blooms develop when we unintentionally unbalance our oceans and we need to put right what we have wronged.

Becoming more aware of our impact on the oceans benefit the oceanic ecosystem and allows us to reap the benefits of a healthy environment. It’s a win-win!

Source: http: Al Jazeera America