Short-term Effects of Intertidal Macroalgal Blooms on the Macrohabitat Selection and Feeding Behaviour of Wading Birds in the Mondego Estuary (West Portugal)

The possible effects of intertidal macroalgal blooms on the feeding distribution and behaviour of the waders in the Mondego Estuary (West Portugal) are discussed in the present paper. The presence of algae over the sediments did not deter the waders absolutely from feeding in a place, but most species did show some tendency to avoid highly eutrophic areas. However, there were no clear signs that the species redistributed themselves within the Estuary as the amount of algae changed, nor did the alternative feeding habitats (the salt pans) seem to be used more when algae were particularly abundant on the mud flats. In one species, bird numbers, rather than the amount of algae present, explained the numbers of birds using the salt pans when the two factors were considered together in a multiple regression analysis. There were no striking differences between algae-free and algae-weeded areas in some aspects of the foraging of two representative species, the scolopacid DunlinCalidris alpinaand the charadriid Grey PloverPluvialis squatarola. The results suggest either: (1) that the presence of algae did not strongly influence the distribution of the feeding waders, at least in the conditions prevailing during the study; or (2) that most waders were able to adapt to feeding on weeded areas; perhaps through subtle and undetected alterations in their feeding behaviour.     

中国沿海球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)的分类、分布及其藻华

球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa Scherffel)是全球海洋广泛分布的有害藻华种类。1997年10月,中国东南沿海首次暴发了此种藻类的大规模藻华,其后陆续在福建、广东、广西、海南、河北及天津等省市沿海暴发多起同种藻华。中国近海的球形棕囊藻藻华呈现两大独有的特点,即藻类囊体较大(可达3厘米),以及藻华可毒害养殖业。历经20多年,球形棕囊藻在中国沿海已从一个"藻华新记录种"变成了"藻华常见种"。值得注意的是, 2014年以来,广西北部湾海域棕囊藻藻华肆虐,威胁核电冷源安全,受到了社会高度关注,也对球形棕囊藻藻华的研究提出了新的挑战与要求。针对这一生态灾害的最新发展趋势,本文总结了20年来中国球形棕囊藻及其藻华灾害的发生与发展状况,分别就棕囊藻的分类、生活史特征、营养特性、藻华形成的环境驱动因素、生态毒理等诸多方面开展简要综述,冀望为棕囊藻藻华的研究及防治提供基础资料及思路。     

改性黏土法消除球形棕囊藻赤潮的现场实验与效果评估

球形棕囊藻是一种具有复杂异型生活史的有毒有害赤潮生物,近年来在我国近海频繁暴发成灾,形成的巨大囊体为国内外罕见。迄今还未见到有效消除囊体型球形棕囊藻赤潮的方法报道。本文通过海上围隔实验和现场赤潮消除工程跟踪监测,考察了喷洒改性黏土消除囊体型球形棕囊藻赤潮的可行性与效率,并分析了改性黏土法治理赤潮时对水体及沉积环境的可能影响。围隔实验结果表明,喷洒改性黏土可以有效消除水体中过量的微藻细胞,其中以少量多次喷洒方法的效果最好,生物量(chl a)去除率90%。在对2016年2月广西防城港附近海域球形棕囊藻赤潮消除时的跟踪监测结果表明,改性黏土法适用于工程化消除赤潮作业,能够快速消除水体中的大量球形棕囊藻囊体,随改性黏土絮凝体沉入海底的赤潮藻可以快速分解而失去活性。喷洒改性黏土对于赤潮水体的主要理化指标影响不显著,所监测的水体COD、pH和不同形态氮、磷、硅等生源要素浓度都在原有水质水平范围内波动。     

我国近海米氏凯伦藻(Karenia mikimotoi)藻华发生概况、危害及其生态学机制

米氏凯伦藻(Kareniamikimotoi)隶属于裸甲藻目(Gymnodiniales)凯伦藻科(Kareniaceae)。该藻广泛分布于全球海域,是海洋中的主要有毒有害赤潮藻,也是我国第二大灾害性赤潮肇事种。米氏凯伦藻可产生半乳糖脂、溶血毒素、鱼毒素和部分细胞毒素,当其大规模暴发时会造成严重的生态灾害和经济损失,并危及海产品安全和人类健康。该藻为广温广盐种,光照耐受阈宽,多以光合作用营自养生长,主要繁殖方式为无性繁殖;另外,米氏凯伦藻能吸收利用不同形态的磷盐,并可进行吞噬营养。这些生态学特性使其具有环境适应优势,在适宜条件下过度繁殖引发藻华。     

流式影像仪在东海海域甲藻藻华研究中的应用

有害藻华对海水养殖、人类健康和生态安全构成威胁,已成为全球性的生态灾害.近20年来,米氏凯伦藻(Karenia mikimotoi)、东海原甲藻(Prorocentrum donghaiense)等甲藻形成的有害藻华在东海海域连年暴发,其频率高、危害大,形成及演变机理复杂,对藻华原因种进行监测是开展有害藻华预警和防控的...     

通过水体置换降低水库富营养化风险：长江口青草沙水库案例研究

城市淡水系统的富营养化风险是世界范围内普遍关注的问题。多种物理、生物和化学技术手段被应用到富营养化湖库的治理当中,以期抑制水体的富营养化程度和藻类生物量。经证实,在未有效降低营养盐来源的情况下,这些手段的效果有限。而在发展中国家,控制营养盐来源可能需要花费数十年的时间。本研究旨在分析某一高营养盐负荷的沿海水库的富营养化和藻类水华风险,以期确认通过水利调度来抑制水库富营养化状态的可行性。该案例水库为位于长江口的青草沙水库。该水库2009至2012年期间的库内五个点位的水质数据被用于进行案例分析。水质指标包括水温、透明度、溶解氧、总氮、总磷和浮游植物叶绿素a。该水库的建设期为2009年4月至2010年10月,期间水库未曾与长江口发生水体交换。该水库的试运营期为2010年10月至2011年1月,正式运营期为2011年1月至今。在运营期间,库内与长江口的水体交换逐步上升。综合营养状态指数（TLI）被用于评估该水库的营养状态变化情况,该指数是通过数个代表性水质指标计算得到。库区的TLI指数峰值在2009年夏季可达51,在2011年夏季可达55,超过TLI指数的富营养化阈值50。TLI的谷值32出现在2010年的夏季。水质观测期的其他时段的TLI指数均可保持在50以下。以上分析结果表明：水库在2009年和2011年夏季由于过量的营养盐负荷和藻类水华迅速恶化到富营养化状态。水库在2010年和2012年均未出现富营养化状态和藻类水华,这是由于2010年期间水库缺少营养盐输入,2012年期间水库调度充分地置换了库区水体。库区水质指标的时空变化均通过文中的观测资料和数据分析进行展示。经分析表明,通过潮汐涨落来充分置换库区水体的水库调度手段是一个极为经济有效的抑制高营养盐水体富营养化和藻类水华的工程手段。     

改性粘土絮凝后残留的太平洋亚历山大藻(Alexandrium pacificum)毒素变化研究

改性粘土法是一种高效、环保的有害藻华应急处置技术,可通过絮凝作用有效去除水体中藻华生物。但利用改性粘土絮凝产毒藻后,水体中胞内外藻毒素的变化情况目前尚不清楚。文章考察了I型改性粘土(MCI)絮凝典型产毒甲藻——太平洋亚历山大藻(Alexandriumpacificum)后,水体中残留藻细胞内和胞外麻痹性贝类毒素(paralytic shellfish toxins, PSTs)含量、组分的变化情况。实验结果表明, MC I对密度为6.11×10~3 cells/mL的A. pacificum 3小时去除率达62%,水体中残留藻细胞单细胞毒素含量和PSTs组分与对照组无显著差异,但水体中总PSTs含量大大降低,其中由絮凝沉降导致的胞内PSTs被去除量占水体中PSTs总减少量的90%以上。另外,针对MC I对胞外PSTs吸附效果的研究发现,低于0.5 g/L的MC I对胞外PSTs无明显吸附效果,而在利用0.2 g/L MC I絮凝去除大部分亚历山大藻后,水体中胞外PSTs含量无明显变化。由此可以推测该用量下的MC I未造成大量藻细胞破裂向水体中释放毒素。该研究结果将为改性粘土治理有毒甲藻藻华的现场应用提供科学依据。     

用三维荧光光谱-平行因子分析法研究长江口南部有色溶解有机物荧光的季节变化

The southern Changjiang River Estuary has attracted considerable attention from marine scientists because it is a highly biologically active area and is biogeochemically significant.Moreover,land-ocean interactions strongly impact the estuary,and harmful algal blooms(HABs) frequently occur in the area.In October 2010 and May 2011,water samples of chromophoric dissolved organic matter(CDOM) were collected from the southern Changjiang River Estuary.Parallel factor analysis(PARAFAC) was used to assess the samples' CDOM composition using excitation-emission matrix(EEM) spectroscopy.Four components were identified:three were humic-like(C1,C2 and C3) and one was protein-like(C4).Analysis based on spatial and seasonal distributions,as well as relationships with salinity,Chl a and apparent oxygen utilization(AOU),revealed that terrestrial inputs had the most significant effect on the three humic-like Components C1,C2 and C3 in autumn.In spring,microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important factors that impacted the three components.The protein-like Component C4 had autochthonous and allochthonous origins and likely represented a biologically labile component.CDOM in the southern Changjiang River Estuary was mostly affected by terrestrial inputs.Microbial processes and phytoplankton blooms were also important sources of CDOM,especially in spring.The fluorescence intensities of the four components were significantly higher in spring than in autumn.On average,C1,C2,C3,C4 and the total fluorescence intensity(TFI) in the surface,middle and bottom layers increased by123%–242%,105%–195%,167%–665%,483%–567% and 184%–245% in spring than in autumn,respectively.This finding corresponded with a Chl a concentration that was 16–20 times higher in spring than in autumn and an AOU that was two to four times lower in spring than in autumn.The humification index(HIX) was lower in spring that in autumn,and the fluorescence index(FI) was higher in spring than in autumn.This result indicated that the CDOM was labile and the biological activity was intense in spring.     

我国瓯江口和珠江口凤鲚洄游模式和生境利用研究

Habitat use of the tapertail anchovy(Coilia mystus Linnaeus, 1758) from the Oujiang River Estuary and the Zhujiang(Pearl) River Estuary was studied by examining the environmental signatures of Sr and Ca in otoliths using electron probe microanalysis. Individuals from the Oujiang River had higher and varied Sr:Ca ratios(expressed as(Sr:Ca)×1 000, 3.83–13.0 average) in the otolith core regions, suggesting that they were born in brackish or sea waters, and that a freshwater habitat might not be necessary for egg hatching and larval growth.While, individuals from the Zhujiang River had lower Sr:Ca ratios(0.39–2.51 average) in the core regions,suggesting a freshwater origin. After hatching, anchovies from the Zhujiang River migrate downstream to the river estuary close to brackish water. Our results demonstrated varied habitat use for spawning during stages of early life history between the two populations, and suggested that such variations are promoting diversity of life history strategies of this species.     

Iron and phosphorus effects on the growth of Cryptomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae) and their availability in sediments from the Pearl River Estuary, China

Based on lab-culture experiments analyzing limitation and combination of iron and phosphorus on the growth of Cryptomonas sp. (Cryptophyceae), and the study of accumulation and release of Fe-bound P in sediment cores collected from the marine region of the Pearl River Estuary, China, reasons for the high frequency of phytoplankton bloom therein are discussed. Results show that the combined effect of Fe and P can obviously accelerate algal development, and the optimum culture conditions maintaining maximum growth rate are 0.05 μM Fe and 50 μM P. Cellular contents of Fe and P is consistent and the P:Fe molar ratio is 159:1. The optimum range of the P:Fe molar ratio in culture experiments for cell incubation is 500–1400. The vertical trends of total Fe and total P variations in sediments are parallel. Fe-bound P is the main species of inorganic sedimentary P. Through continuous leaching with agitation, 34–80% of exchangeable P and 4–23% of exchangeable Fe are concurrently released from the surficial sediments. This is a possible way by which nutrients are made available to phytoplankton. These factors might be responsible for a high frequency of harmful algal blooms in the Pearl River Estuary.     

二种核糖体型的多环马格里夫藻(Margalefidinium polykrikoides)的形态和超微结构比较及分子系统学分析

多环马格里夫藻是一种世界性广泛分布的有毒有害藻华原因种。过去30多年里多环马格里夫藻藻华在许多国家频繁暴发且呈快速扩散趋势。过去的研究根据不同地理来源种群在核糖体大亚基基因序列的显著差别,将其分成4种不同核糖体型(ribotype),即东亚型、菲律宾型、美国/马来西亚型和地中海型。但是,不同核糖体型的种群在形态和超微结构上是否也存在可辨识差异尚未见深入研究。为此,本文对从中国青岛胶州湾、美国东海岸和马来西亚近海分离的三株多环马格里夫藻(中国株MPJZBC3、美国株CP1和马来西亚株MPCoKK23)的细胞表面形态和超微结构进行了比较研究,并进一步基于核糖体大亚基序列进行了分子系统学分析。结果首先证明了分离自胶州湾的多环马格里夫藻属于东亚核糖体型,而美国株和马来西亚株均属美国/马来西亚型(中国株与美国株及马来西亚株在1523个碱基的核糖体大亚基序列上相似性为93.6%)。但是,在所有常用的具有分类学意义的细胞形态学和超微结构特征上[细胞大小、单细胞或群体及群体细胞数、上下锥形状、横沟位移度(绕细胞圈数)、纵沟形态、顶沟形态、细胞核位置与形状、染色体形状与数目、叶绿体的形状、结构、数目及分布、淀粉核形态等],中国株与美国株和马来西亚株(也即东亚核糖体型和美国/马来西亚核糖体型)都没有明显可区分的差别。因此,我们认为应该在生活史、休眠孢囊形态和生理学特征(如毒素种类及毒性强弱)以及性别相容性(sexualcompatibility)等方面开展进一步比较研究,以获得对不同核糖体型种群的识别性状。在现阶段有害藻华的野外监测中,尤其是对于不同核糖体型种群可能造成的生物入侵的监测和追溯,多环马格里夫藻的鉴定尚必须以核糖体基因序列作为可靠的判决依据。     

The response of primary producer assemblages to mitigation measures to reduce eutrophication in a temperate estuary

The Mondego estuary is a well-described system located on the North Atlantic Ocean, where cultural eutrophication progressed over the last decades of the 20th century. Consequently, and due to a large productivity of Ulva spp., Zostera noltii meadows were severely reduced with a concomitant decrease in environmental quality. In 1998, experimental mitigation measures were implemented, via changes in hydrology to increase circulation and diversion of nutrient-rich freshwater inflow, to reverse the process in the most affected area of the estuary – its South arm.The objective of this study was to assess the differences in response of primary producer assemblages to the implemented measures to reduce eutrophication.Results show that the mean concentrations of DIN suffered a notorious decrease due to a significant reduction in the ammonium concentration in the water column, while DIP increased significantly. Primary producer assemblages showed different responses to these changes: phytoplankton, measured as concentration of chlorophyll a, did not show any significant changes; green macroalgae, mostly Ulva spp., suffered a large reduction in biomass, whereas Gracilaria gracilis and the macrophyte Zostera noltii biomasses increased greatly. Results show that phytoplankton biomass has remained constant and suggest that the reduction in ammonium could have been responsible for the changes in the green macroalgal biomass. Light was the most likely factor in the response of seagrass whereas red macroalgal reaction seemed to be dependent on both light and ammonium.     

Macroalgal associations of motile epifaunal invertebrate communities on coral reefs

Small grazing motile epifaunal invertebrates play an important ecosystem role on coral reefs, influencing both the abundance and composition of macroalgal communities and acting as a key food source for a range of predatory fishes. The first aim of this study was to investigate the associations between motile epifaunal communities and four common macroalgal species (Lobophora variegata, Dictyota divaricata, Microdictyon marinum and Halimeda opuntia) on fore‐reef environments in the Exuma Cays (Bahamas, wider Caribbean). Secondly, we investigated the implications of the well documented rise of Caribbean macroalgal cover on invertebrate densities by surveying sites inside and outside the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park (ECLSP), where increases in parrotfish grazing intensity inside the marine reserves have led to reductions in macroalgal cover. Therefore, surveys compared similar reefs with significantly different macrolagal cover. Comparisons between macroalgal species revealed a four to fivefold difference in motile epifaunal densities per unit volume of macroalgae. Post‐hoc tests revealed that this difference was significant only for Lobophora, with no difference observed among the other species. As macroalgae provide both a refuge from predation and a food source for grazing epifauna, the higher densities of epifauna observed in Lobophora may be attributed to either refuge from visual predators through morphological features (high cover of overlapping blades close to the substrate) or lack of palatability for parrotfish grazing, providing a more stable refuge. Our results revealed no significant differences in diversity, density or community structure of motile epifauna per unit volume of macroalgae between sites inside and outside the ECLSP. Since canopy height and invertivore biomass did not vary systematically across reserve boundaries, this suggests that algal cover does not affect the density of epifaunal invertebrates. However, areal cover was consistently higher for all macroalgal species at sites outside the ECLSP than those inside the reserve. Therefore, when scaled by aerial cover of macroalgae, total abundance of epifauna was twofold higher outside the ECLSP. We suggest that the increasing abundance of macroalgae on Caribbean reefs may be having dramatic effects on epifaunal invertebrate populations and potentially their ecological functions.     

Feeding behavior in Caribbean surgeonfishes varies across fish size,algal abundance,and habitat characteristics

Feeding behavior of coral reef fishes often determines their species‐specific ecological roles. We studied the two most common Caribbean surgeonfishes (Acanthurus coeruleus and Acanthurus tractus) to examine their species‐specific grazing rates and feeding preferences and how these differed with environmental context. We quantified the feeding activity of both surgeonfishes at four spur and groove reefs in the Florida Keys, USA, that varied in fish abundance, rugosity, algal community composition, and sediment loading. Overall, A. tractus fed twice as fast as A. coeruleus. Both species selected for turf algae but avoided feeding on turf algae that had become laden with sediment. Selectivity for upright macroalgae was more complex with A. tractus targeting Dictyota spp., while A. coeruleus avoided Dictyota spp. relative to the alga's abundance. Both species selected for epiphytes growing on other organisms such as macroalgae and sponges. However, several of these feeding patterns changed with ontogeny. For example, larger individuals of both species fed more frequently on long, sediment‐laden algal turf and less frequently on Dictyota spp. compared to smaller sized individuals. In addition, A. tractus also increased its preference for upright calcareous algae as they attained larger sizes. Overall, the disparity in feeding preferences of surgeonfishes likely indicates subtle differences in species‐specific ecological roles. Both A. coeruleus and A. tractus likely prevent development of turf algae and thus maintain algal communities in the early stages of succession. Additionally, A. tractus may also help reduce macroalgal abundance by targeting common macroalgal species.     

运用双特异分子探针技术对胶州湾三种硅藻的检测

利用本实验室首创的双特异分子探针技术对胶州湾常见的3种硅藻-旋链角毛藻(Chaeto-ceros curvisetus Cleve)、尖刺拟菱形藻(Pseudo-nitzschia pungens(Grunowex Cleve)Halse)和中肋骨条藻(Skeletonema costatum(Greville)Cleve)进行定性与定量分析。结果表明,无论是对实验室样品还是自然样品进行检测,本技术均有较好的适用性,对3种目标藻的最低检测细胞数分别为4.2×104、9.4×103和6.0×104个细胞。统计分析表明,双特异分子探针技术对3种目标藻的分析结果与经典的显微镜镜检结果没有显著性差异。本技术利用了多孔酶标板进行检测,整个实验过程约7h,可在较短时间内分析大量样品中的多种微藻,为同时监测多种赤潮藻开辟了一条新途径。     

富营养河口水体藻华粒级结构的调控机制研究

为探究富营养河口水体藻华粒级结构的调控机制,本研究利用枯水期珠江口上游河水、下游海水及其等比例混合水进行培养实验,跟踪监测水体中叶绿素a和营养盐的浓度变化,并利用稀释实验估算藻类生长速率（μ）和小型浮游动物的摄食速率（m）,以阐明上行控制（营养盐刺激）和下行控制（摄食影响）对藻类粒级结构的影响。结果显示:营养加富能增加藻类的生物量,藻类群落的优势粒级由超微型和微型转换为小型;加富河水中μ维持2～3 d高值后下降,速率为（1.13±0.37）d?1,加富海水中μ逐步增加,速率为（1.06±0.16）d?1,加富混合水中μ轻微波动,速率为（0.58±0.14）d?1,总体上小型藻类μ最大。3组加富水体中m总体均先增大后下降,粒级差异不明显。藻类被小型浮游动物摄食率（m/μ）随粒级增大而减小,说明富营养刺激大粒级的生长,大粒级面临的被摄食压力较小。m/μ随藻类每日的比生长速率（μ_{Chl a}）降低而增加,说明藻华前期由上行控制主导,后期下行控制作用相对加强。本研究表明,富营养化不仅能够改变藻华的生物量,而且能影响其粒级结构,初步阐明了富营养河口水体中藻华粒级结构的调控机制。     

Contrasts in genetic structure and historical demography of marine and riverine populations of Atherina at similar geographical scales

In this paper, we compare the genetic structure and the historical demography of two populations of the sand smelt Atherina boyeri from the rivers Tagus and Mondego (Portugal) with two groups of samples of the closely related marine Atherina presbyter collected on the shore at comparable latitudes. A. presbyter is a pelagic marine inshore fish, while A. boyeri is typically found in coastal lagoons, estuaries and freshwaters bodies. Analysis of mtDNA control region sequences showed that the marine A. presbyter did not display signs of genetic differentiation between sites some hundreds of kilometers apart. On the contrary, A. boyeri showed clear differences between populations. The populations of A. boyeri showed a much lower genetic diversity and younger coalescence times when compared with A. presbyter. We suggest that these differences reflect the interplay between differences in ecology between the two species and the historical impact of the glaciations. While A. presbyter likely moved to the south evading the cold periods, A. boyeri probably went extinct and its populations in Western Europe are recent recolonizations from western Mediterranean refugia.     

中国新记录定鞭藻物种冠状棕囊藻的遗传进化分析

棕囊藻属(Phaeocystis)分类学上位于定鞭藻门(Haptophyta)定鞭藻纲(Haptophyceae)棕囊藻目(Phaeocystales)棕囊藻科(Phaeocystaceae)。迄今在我国海域仅分离鉴定到一种棕囊藻属物种,即自1997年以来在我国海域频繁形成有害藻华的球形棕囊藻(Phaeocystis globosa)。作者从中国南海分离到一个单细胞鞭毛类株系CNS01077,结合形态特征观察及基于18S rDNA序列的系统发育分析,将其鉴定为冠状棕囊藻(Phaeocystis rex)。这是该棕囊藻物种在我国海域的首次报道。该研究构建了该物种的首个叶绿体基因组序列和首个线粒体基因组序列。与球形棕囊藻和南极棕囊藻的细胞器基因组比较分析发现冠状棕囊藻的细胞器基因组发生了显著的结构重排和序列变异。该物种在我国海域的发现及细胞器基因组的构建,将为棕囊藻的生物多样性组成和地理分布研究提供支撑。     

Seasonal changes in phytoplankton densities in four North Island lakes, 1973–74

In a 1973–74 survey of preserved phytoplankton from Lakes Rotoiti, Rotoehu, Rotoma and Waikaremoana, 205 algal taxa (including 111 Chlorophyta, 56 Chrysophyta, 17 Cyanophyta, 16 Pyrrhophyta, and 5 Euglenophyta) were found. The greatest number of species was found in Lake Rotoehu, but monthly maxima based on cell counts were usually greater in Lake Rotoiti. A summer bloom of the toxic blue‐green alga Aphanizomenon flos‐aquae occurred in Lake Rotoehu. Each lake had its own pattern of dominance. Surface and subsurface samples showed marked differences in species composition and abundance. Diatoms were important winter and spring components, with desmids forming conspicuous subordinates. Cemtium hirundinella was prominent in subsurface layers of Lakes Rotoma and Waikaremoana.

Compound indices (ratios of number of species of most other algae to that of desmids) point to Lake Rotoehu as extremely eutrophic, to Lake Rotoma as moderately eutrophic, and to Lakes Rotoiti and Waikaremoana as oligotrophic rather than meso‐ or eutrophic.     

Toxic effects of decomposing red algae on littoral organisms

Large masses of filamentous red algae of the genera Polysiphonia, Rhodomela, and Ceramium are regularly washed up on beaches of the central Baltic Sea. As the algal masses start to decay, red coloured effluents leak into the water, and this tinge may be traced several hundred meters off shore. In this study, possible toxic effects of these effluents were tested on littoral organisms from different trophic levels. Effects on fertilisation, germination and juvenile survival of the brown seaweed Fucus vesiculosus were investigated, and mortality tests were performed on the crustaceans Artemia salina and Idotea baltica, as well as on larvae and adults of the fish Pomatoschistus microps. Fucus vesiculosus was the most sensitive species of the tested organisms to the red algal extract. The survival of F. vesiculosus recruits was reduced with 50% (LC50) when exposed to a concentration corresponding to 1.7 g l⁻¹ dw red algae. The lethal concentration for I. baltica, A. salina and P. microps were approximately ten times higher. The toxicity to A. salina was reduced if the algal extract was left to decompose during two weeks but the decline in toxicity was not affected by different light or temperature conditions. This study indicates that the filamentous red algae in the central Baltic Sea may produce and release compounds with negative effects on the littoral ecosystem. The effects may be particularly serious for the key species F. vesiculosus, which reproduce in autumn when filamentous red algal blooms are most severe.