Advances and perspectives in the study of harmful phytoplankton on the coast of Campeche, southeastern Gulf of Mexico

Abstract

The accelerated growth of the human population in the coastal states of Mexico, which will reach 64 million in 2030, exerts a marked environmental pressure on coastal areas, where anthropogenic productive and recreational activities affect the ecological balance. Phytoplankton is highly susceptible to these alterations, mainly to the response of the increase in nutrients that is due to this accelerated growth of human populations, affecting the food web. In Mexico, harmful algal blooms (HAB) represent a serious environmental and public health problem, regulated by outdated regulations. In the coastal waters of the state of Campeche, with a coastline of 425 km, various efforts have been made to identify phytoplanktonic species known to form HAB. Diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, and the  thecate dinoflagellate Pyrodinium bahamense have been identified recurrently and, to a lesser extent, the naked dinoflagellate Karenia brevis and the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. have also been reported. Monitoring harmful species is essential to prevent human poisoning and to discover the risks faced by the state’s coastal ecosystems. Some authors have indicated that the frequency of HABs could increase in certain regions of the planet, due to variations in temperatures and weather patterns affected by climate change. Given this scenario, the need to strengthen research groups dedicated to the study of causing becomes evident. This will not only allow a better understanding of the factors that trigger and regulate these HABs, but will also contribute to the development of monitoring, prevention and mitigation strategies.

Keywords: harmful algae, Campeche, Gulf of Mexico, eutrophication, marine toxins.