Harmful algal blooms in a changing world: linking bloom dynamics, biotoxin synthesis, and advanced monitoring strategies
Gracy Francis, Suryapratap Ray, Anirban Mukherjee, Abilash Gopalakrishnan, Rahul Vashishth (2026) Harmful algal blooms in a changing world: linking bloom dynamics, biotoxin synthesis, and advanced monitoring strategies Environ Monit Assess (IF: 3) 198(5)Abstract
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) constitute an increasingly severe global ecological and public health threat, driven primarily by anthropogenic nutrient enrichment, coastal pollution, and climate-induced environmental change. Intensifying eutrophication, ocean warming, and hydrological variability have increased bloom frequency, geographic expansion, and toxin production, resulting in profound disruptions to marine food webs. HAB-forming microalgae and cyanobacteria synthesize a diverse array of potent biotoxins that alter zooplankton dynamics, cause extensive fish and marine wildlife mortalities, and pose significant risks to human health through contaminated seafood and water supplies. This review critically examines the principal taxa responsible for HAB events, integrating ecological, genetic, and environmental determinants that regulate bloom development and biotoxin biosynthesis. Major classes of algal biotoxins, their mechanisms of action, and their cascading impacts on marine ecosystems and public health are systematically evaluated. In addition, recent advances in HAB and toxin detection technologies, including molecular, biochemical, and remote sensing approaches, are synthesized alongside current management and mitigation strategies. By linking bloom-driving conditions, toxicity indicators, and monitoring frameworks, this review provides an integrated foundation for strengthening early-warning systems, risk assessment, and adaptive response strategies. Overall, the synthesis highlights emerging technologies and research priorities critical for mitigating the ecological and societal impacts of this escalating environmental crisis.© 2026. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.
Links
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/41945194http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10661-026-15253-w
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