An unprecedented coastwide toxic algal bloom linked to anomalous ocean conditions

Abstract A coastwide bloom of the toxigenic diatom Pseudo‐nitzschia in spring 2015 resulted in the largest recorded outbreak of the neurotoxin, domoic acid, along the North American west coast. Elevated toxins were measured in numerous stranded marine mammals and resulted in geographically extensive and prolonged closures of razor clam, rock crab, and Dungeness crab fisheries. We demonstrate that this outbreak was initiated by anomalously warm ocean conditions. Pseudo‐nitzschia australis thrived north of its typical range in the warm, nutrient‐poor water that spanned the northeast Pacific in early 2015. The seasonal transition to upwelling provided the nutrients necessary for a large‐scale bloom; a series of…

• NS
  National Science Foundation

  Awards: OCE‐1314088, OCE‐1332753
• JI
  Joint Institute for the Study of the Atmosphere and Ocean

  Awards: NA10OAR4320148, NA15OAR4320063
• CD
  Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Award: RO1 ES021930
• NO
  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• CF
  Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research

  Awards: NA11NOS4780030, NA16NOS4780189, NA14NOS0120149, NA04NOS4780239, NA11NOS0120036