Higher concentration of Genus Ostreopsis than usual
During the last few weeks, Italian press reported on toxic algae along their coast and red alarm (standard procedure in these occasions) was raised for 20 beaches. These algae appear as a brownish film on the sea flow and during mass occurences the floating brownish flocks on the surface are observed.
Croatian scientists feom the RBI Centre for Marine Research in Rovinj have been investigating the distribution and ecology of these toxic algae for several years anow and while mass occurence of these algae along the Italian coast is most commun during summer, until now it usually appeared along the Croatian coast later in the year (October). However, given the long period of extremely high temperatures, this year the situation is different and scientists from the Croatian centre for Marine Research of the Ruđer Bošković Institute have recorded a higher concentration on several beaches bethwee Pula and Poreč. Such a massive occurence of these algae during summer is exceptional for the Croatian coast.
These algae produce a volotile toxin that can provoke a wide range of symptoms after skin contact or inhalation. Most often symptoms resemble those of a common cold: fever, sore throat, running nose and coughing. Skin reactions similar to allergic reactions, are often observed. Citizens with respiratory illnesses like astma are advised to keep a distance of at least 20 metres to reduce exposure to the aerosols.
Since Croatia still does not have a warning system like the one implemented in Italy, scientists urge people who notice the above described symptoms to report the beach location and their symptoms to
Centre for Marine Research, Ruđer Bošković Institute
