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Phycotoxin-Enriched Sea Spray Aerosols: Methods, Mechanisms, and Human Exposure
Emmanuel Van Acker1, Steve Huysman2, Maarten De Rijcke3
1Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Department of Animal Sciences and Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Campus Coupure, Coupure links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
Environmental Science & Technology
|April 12, 2021
Summary
Sea spray aerosols can carry marine phycotoxins like okadaic acid. This study shows these toxins are enriched in aerosols, potentially impacting coastal air quality and human health.
Area of Science:
- Marine chemistry
- Environmental science
- Public health
Background:
- Limited research exists on sea spray aerosols (SSAs) carrying marine compounds.
- Phycotoxins from harmful algal blooms can cause respiratory issues, but their aerosolization is poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the aerosolization of specific marine phycotoxins (okadaic acid, homoyessotoxin, dinophysistoxin-1).
- To develop and validate an analytical method for quantifying phycotoxins in SSAs.
- To assess natural phycotoxin concentrations in coastal air.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a marine aerosol reference tank (MART) to simulate realistic SSA production.
- Spiked seawater with toxic algae to study phycotoxin aerosolization.
- Developed and validated an analytical method for phycotoxin determination in SSAs.
- Conducted in situ SSA sampling and aerosolization experiments.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated experimental evidence of okadaic acid, homoyessotoxin, and dinophysistoxin-1 aerosolization.
- Showed significant enrichment (78- to 1769-fold) of these phycotoxins in SSAs compared to seawater.
- Quantified natural okadaic acid concentrations in Belgium's coastal air (0.6-51 pg m⁻³).
Conclusions:
- Phycotoxins are significantly enriched in sea spray aerosols.
- The study provides a framework for assessing airborne exposure to marine compounds.
- Highlights potential human health implications of marine phycotoxin aerosolization.
