Year-round algal toxin exposure in free-ranging sea lions
Sea lions living along the coast of Washington are at risk from harmful algal blooms throughout the year, according to a 2017 study published in the Marine Ecology Progress Series.
Harmful algal bloom (HAB) toxins cause sickness and death in both humans and marine wildlife. Using scat, we found that both Steller and California sea lions living on the northern Washington coast are exposed to HAB toxins in all months of the year, including in the winter when algal blooms typically do not occur, and that several different fish species are exposing the sea lions to these toxins. These findings are significant because they indicate that even outside of the typical algal bloom season, HAB toxins are circulated through the marine food web and can affect top-predators like marine mammals.
Citation
Akmajian, A. M., Scordino, J. J., & Acevedo-Gutiérrez, A. (2017). Year-round algal toxin exposure in free-ranging sea lions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 583, 243-258.
