phycotoxicology

Phycotoxicology is the study of toxins produced by algae. These toxins can be harmful to humans and animals, often by accumulating in shellfish and finfish, making them unsafe for consumption. Some well-known examples include paralytic shellfish poisoning, caused by saxitoxin from dinoflagellates, and amnesic shellfish poisoning, from domoic acid produced by diatoms.1

Certain algae, like Gymnodinium breve, are notorious for causing fish kills and poisoning along coastlines. When these algal blooms, known as red tides, occur, wind-blown spray can even cause respiratory problems in humans. While some algae directly attack tissues, causing rare diseases like protothecosis, others, like certain seaweeds, can accumulate high levels of arsenic, leading to poisoning.1