The participants at the Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche (SU and CNRS) and at the CSIC (ICM and IDAEA) are studying the Ostreopsis spp. blooms in the NW Mediterranean coasts. In particular, the research is focused on hot spots where recurrent events occur every summer and are associated with mild respiratory and cutaneous disorders in beach users, workers and inhabitants in the area. The ecology of the blooms and the links with the impacts on human health are investigated through epidemiology studies. Also, in the laboratory experiments are conducted to learn about the physiology of this microalga and the ecotoxicology effects on other marine organisms.
In the context of climate change, the challenge is to know which are the key environmental factors controlling Ostreopsis blooms, and how these factors may change and affect the future trends of these harmful phenomena.
Map of the presence of Ostreopsis in the Mediterranean and noxious events.
CoCliME is elaborating a database on selected Ostreopsis past and recent events. In addition, their main impacts on human health, socio-economy and ecology are identified. Along with CoCliME partners, the future trends of Ostreopsis blooms and their potential effects under different climate change scenarios will be determined. Then, with end users, stakeholders and policy-makers climate services to allow adaptation to climate change impacts will be co-developed.
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