After more than a decade of monitoring along the north-western Mediterranean coasts, the data collected by the scientists of the RAMOGE Agreement on Ostreopsis cf. ovata have been published in Harmful Algae.
This benthic microalga is an invasive tropical species, known for producing toxins, and during summer it can form blooms that may impact human health as well as the balance of marine ecosystems.
The study analyses data collected between 2010 and 2023 along the coasts of Spain, France, the Principality of Monaco, and Italy. Understanding the dynamics of this microalga in relation to climate warming is of particular interest.
The results reveal complex dynamics that are specific to each site: its proliferation depends on many local factors, beyond water temperature alone, which ranged from 15.5 °C to 34.8 °C during the monitoring periods.
Scientists of the RAMOGE Agreement will continue to measure the concentrations of this microalga every summer in order to improve the understanding of this phenomenon and to support risk management for ecosystems and public health.
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© Photos : ICM ; Paolo Moretto
