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The Plymouth Student Scientist

Document Type

Biological and Marine Sciences Article

Abstract

In Qingdao, China, harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a known hazard to coastal communities. Aerosolization is a mechanism by which HAB toxins can be transported from the sea surface into the air when wind speeds exceed 5 m/s. Previous studies have analysed the composition of aerosolized marine biotoxins (AMBs) in the breathable air surrounding Qingdao, but the role of the onshore winds in transporting them there would benefit from further research. Ciguatoxin is one such AMB, and this study analyses the role of onshore winds in aerosolizing and transporting toxins inland from a ciguatoxin bloom in Aoshan Bay, Qingdao during the winter of 2019. It also considers the resulting potential exposure for coastal communities. Ciguatoxin is widely understood for causing ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP), yet the effects on human health when inhaled remain mostly unknown. Using satellite derived data, chlorophyll concentrations were assessed throughout 2019 to locate the winter HAB, as chlorophyll is a strong indicator of phytoplankton biomass. Wind speed and direction data were analysed from satellite radar to determine the frequency and strength of onshore winds throughout the bloom. Additionally, chlorophyll levels in Aoshan Bay were analysed over a 20-year period to assess if and how HAB occurrences were changing over time. The ciguatoxin bloom was captured by a peak in chlorophyll levels during January and February 2019. Winds in the area were onshore and at speeds capable of aerosolization 75% of this time, suggesting that onshore winds played a large role in transporting ciguatoxin into the air. Interestingly, a significant decline in chlorophyll levels was observed across the 20-year dataset, likely attributable to an increase in macroalgal invasions around China. This study highlights the potential relationship between onshore winds and harmful algal bloom occurrences in Aoshan Bay in 2019, and the associated risk of exposure to coastal communities.

Publication Date

2025-12

Publication Title

The Plymouth Student Scientist

Volume

18

Issue

2

ISSN

1754-2383

Deposit Date

2025-12

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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