Harmful algal blooms (HABs) status of South Korea in the past 20 years

Abstract

Marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a growing environmental problem globally and have serious impacts on public health, aquatic organisms, and aquaculture industries. In Korea, two dinoflagellates Cochlodinium and Alexandrium, and two Raphidophyta Heterosigma and Chattonella are known to be key issue species among many HABs species. Heterosigma akashiwo red tides were observed only along the southeastern coast of Korea between 1983 and 1991. For the past 30 years, blooms of Cochlodinium polykrikoides have been consistently present along the southern coastal water during summer. As a result of red tides, total economic losses of 121 million US dollars (fish/shellfish kills) have accumulated in the Korean aquaculture industry. The red tide occurrences of C. polykrikoides have related with water stratification, cyst germination, cell accumulation by water current, bacteria and virus interactions, and diatom degradation.