Harmful algal blooms and satellite earth observation

Abstract

The southern Benguela is divided into the West Coast and the South-West Coast regions owing to a change in coastline orientation at Cape Point. These biogeographic regions are reflected in both the make-up and frequency of phytoplankton blooms. Generally the bays are areas of greater coastal retention and phytoplankton biomass. Phytoplanktan can be harmful due to toxin production, mechanical damage, or high biomass (potentially leading to hypoxic events). It can affect both farmed and wild abalone. Dinoflagellate Karenia cristata resulted in the mortality of 40 tons of wild abalone on the southwest coast. Abalone have been affected by Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP) toxins (Alexandrium catenella), through paralysis and inability to produce viable larvae. Yessotoxin producing dinoflagellate species Gonyaulax spinifera & Lingulodinium polyedrum bloom, which affects the epithelial cells and gills. Why use satellite data? Data are freely available, it’s a routine and reliable source of information, it provides global coverage, and it provides historical coverage.