The genus Ostreopsis along the Algerian coastal waters (SW Mediterranean Sea) associated with a human respiratory intoxication episode

Abstract This work describes the first toxic event (human intoxications and sea urchin mortality) related to Ostreopsis bloom in Algerian coastal waters. The distribution of Ostreopsis is presented in three rocky beaches of Algiers Wilaya, where several cases of human intoxications were registered during July 2009. The maximum abundances attained by Ostreopsis in other stations of the network established by the Agency for the Protection and Promotion of Algiers Wilaya coasts (APPL) for monitoring HABs species are also presented. We discuss some of the factors that could explain this toxic episode.