Assessing the harmful microalgae occurrence in a coastal musselculture area, the Mar Piccolo in Taranto (Ionian Sea, Italy).

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have serious impacts on public health, aquatic organisms, aquaculture and tourism industries and marine coastal environments in many countries. The aim of this work is to assess the occurrence of the harmful algal species and to discuss the development of tools for managing and mitigating the effects of HABs in one the most important farming sites in Italy, the Mar Piccolo of Taranto. Four sampling campaigns were carried out on a seasonal basis in the period 2013-2014 in six sampling sites. Results evidenced the occurrence of potentially toxic diatoms (Pseudo-nitzschia cf. galaxiae, P. delicatissima group) and dinoflagellates (Akashiwo sanguinea, Alexandrium minutum, Alexandrium spp. Dinophysis sacculus, D. caudata, Gonyaulax spp.). As concerning Pseudo-nitzschia cf. galaxiae, it reached the highest values in April when it represented the most conspicuous component of the microphytoplankton community.