The effect of climate change on the toxic microalga Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in the Dutch coastal waters

Beer, Maxine A.M. (2021) The effect of climate change on the toxic microalga Alexandrium ostenfeldii (Dinophyceae) in the Dutch coastal waters. Master's Thesis / Essay, Marine Biology.

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Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a common phenomenon in most parts of the world and can form a threat to the local economy, environment and human health. As a result of climate change, HABs have become more common as their division rate increases and their niche expands towards the poles. One of the species that can form HABs is Alexandrium ostenfeldii, a widespread toxic dinoflagellate that can be found in most temperate waters, including the Netherlands. During the period 2012-2015, large blooms of A. ostenfeldii took place in the Ouwerkerkse Kreek, which caused a risk for the mussel farms located in the Oosterschelde. The changing environment due to climate change makes it possible that A. ostenfeldii blooms will become more frequent in the Dutch coastal waters. Following the development of the blooms in the Ouwerkerkse Kreek, it was possible to see how the bloom was influenced by temperature, salinity, precipitation and wind speed. Rising temperatures, combined with a more stable water column due to lower wind speeds and less precipitation in summer, create a better environment for the blooms to develop. Therefore, the frequency of large A. ostenfeldii blooms may increase due to climate change. However, to get more certainty in how much frequency will increase, more research must be done on the role of wind speed in the germination process in shallow waterbodies.

Item Type:	Thesis (Master's Thesis / Essay)
Supervisor name:	Boer, M.K. de
Degree programme:	Marine Biology
Thesis type:	Master's Thesis / Essay
Language:	English
Date Deposited:	14 Apr 2021 08:18
Last Modified:	17 Nov 2021 11:44
URI:	https://fse.studenttheses.ub.rug.nl/id/eprint/24126

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