#Crisis On The Coast: #DomoicAcid Poisoning Strands 140 #SeaLions & 50 #Dolphins On #California Beaches
The recent influx of #marine #wildlife affected by domoic acid poisoning off the coast of Southern California underscores a critical #environmental crisis, w/≧140 sea lions suffering from this debilitating poison & reports of at least 50 stranded dolphins along local beaches.
#ClimateCrisis #climate #MarineLife #ocean #wildfires #ecosystems #algae #OceanWarming #science
https://worldanimalnews.com/crisis-on-the-coast-domoic-acid-poisoning-strands-140-sea-lions-and-50-dolphins-on-california-beaches/
#DomoicAcid is a potent neurotoxin produced by certain phytoplankton species, which are significant contributors to harmful #AlgalBlooms. These toxins accumulate in the tissues of #MarineMammals & other #wildlife consuming contaminated prey. Recent changes in #ocean conditions,…intensified by #environmental factors such as the #EatonFire & #PalisadesFire, have accelerated the proliferation of these harmful algal blooms.
#Wildfires, including the #EatonFire & #PalisadesFire, have significant repercussions on #marine #ecosystems. The ash & debris from these fires can enter waterways & eventually the #ocean, altering nutrient levels & fostering conditions favorable to the growth of harmful #AlgalBlooms. The #toxic byproducts from these fires can exacerbate #OceanWarming, further promoting the frequency of these toxic blooms. This can lead to increased production of #DomoicAcid.
When #marine animals ingest #DomoicAcid, they endure severe neurological symptoms such as seizures, disorientation, &, ultimately, death. These incidents often necessitate euthanasia due to the high mortality rates associated w/this toxin. This alarming rise in domoic acid poisoning cases not only threatens individual #MarineSpecies but also highlights the broader impacts #humans have on marine #ecosystems.
#DomoicAcid can also accumulate in #shellfish & small #fish that feed on the #algae, leading to poisoning in larger #marine animals & humans who consume contaminated #seafood.
Addressing the urgent need to monitor the impact of harmful #AlgalBlooms on #MarineSpecies requires collective strategies. The destructive #California #wildfires, which have contaminated our #oceans & are threatening #MarineLife, serve as a critical call to action for collaborative efforts to protect marine environments….
Recognizing the interconnection of human & #marine #ecosystems is essential, as the stress in one often affects the other.
If you see a marine mammal in distress, please give them space and call the Marine Mammal Care Center’s Marine Mammal Hotline at 1-800-39-WHALE (94253).
Thank you for this thread.