Algal Toxins

Algal toxins are a group of metabolic compounds, including quantities of secondary metabolites produced from the vital activities of many species of algae, some of which negatively impact the aquatic environment and the living organisms that live with them and even on human life. Harmful algal blooms occur when colonies of algae grow out of control and produce toxic or harmful effects on humans, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds and, although rare, can be fatal. The release of these poisonous compounds may sometimes be associated with the death and decomposition of the algae, which means that water treatment systems may cause this when using unsuitable algae removal methods, and these compounds, if released from the algae, are tough to remove from the water. Toxicity is a phylogenetically preserved feature among algae since many species firmly identified with a toxigenic species dependent on morphological or molecular phylogeny may not be toxic. Many measures can be followed to prevent harmful algal blooms (HABs). However, the best time to control or prevent a toxic algal bloom is before the bloom develops.