Preventing the impacts of harmful algal blooms through early warning systems

The challenge

Blooms of potentially toxic microalgae can affect public health, tourism, aquaculture and the balance of coastal ecosystems. Predicting their occurrence and evolution is particularly complex due to the interaction of multiple physical, biological and meteorological factors.

The need for effective early warning systems is becoming increasingly important in the context of climate change and more frequent extreme events.

The solution

AZTI has developed observation and modelling tools to understand and predict the dynamics of Ostreopsis blooms.

The methodology integrates:

• Real-time oceanographic observations.
• HF radar data.
• Regional hydrodynamic models.
• Simulations of organism transport and dispersal.

This approach makes it possible to identify bloom retention and dispersal patterns under different oceanographic scenarios.

The results

• Improved ability to predict Ostreopsis bloom events.
• Development of tools to support risk management.
• Useful information for public authorities responsible for public health and coastal management.
• Greater capacity to respond to events that may affect tourism and aquaculture.
• Transfer of scientific knowledge into operational applications.