Allelopathic Interactions in Coastal Phytoplankton Dynamics
Summary
Allelopathy in coastal waters arises when one photosynthetic organism releases biochemical compounds that influence the growth, physiology or toxin production of another. In shallow and shelf environments this process can shape community composition, modulate the onset and decline of harmful algal blooms (HABs) and mediate competition between phytoplankton and macrophyte populations. Allelochemicals range from simple fatty acids and glycolipids to more complex phenolics and peptides, and they may act directly on cell membranes, photosynthetic apparatus or signal transduction pathways. Field surveys and mesocosm experiments have revealed that seagrasses, macroalgae and benthic plants serve as reservoirs of inhibitory bacteria and allelochemicals, contributing to natural bloom suppression and ecosystem stability. Understanding the specificity and temporal dynamics of these interactions is essential for predicting bloom events, guiding restoration efforts of seagrass beds and exploring biotechnological applications for bloom mitigation.
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Allelopathic Interactions in Coastal Phytoplankton Dynamics publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in allelopathic interactions in coastal phytoplankton dynamics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Allelopathy: The biochemical inhibition or stimulation of one organism by compounds released from another.
Allelochemical: A bioactive compound produced by an organism that affects the growth, survival or reproduction of other species.
Phytoplankton: Microscopic photosynthetic organisms in aquatic environments, including diatoms and dinoflagellates.
Harmful algal bloom (HAB): A rapid proliferation of phytoplankton species that can produce toxins or cause ecological damage.
EC50 (half‐maximal effective concentration): The concentration of a substance required to inhibit a biological process by 50%.
References
- Purification and Screening of the Antialgal Activity of Seaweed Extracts and a New Glycolipid Derivative against Two Ichthyotoxic Red Tide Microalgae Amphidinium carterae and Karenia mikimotoi. Marine Drugs (2024).
- Inhibition of harmful algal blooms caused by Aureococcus anophagefferens (Pelagophyceae) using native (Gracilaria tikvahiae) and invasive (Dasysiphonia japonica) red seaweeds from North America. Journal of Applied Phycology (2022).
- New insights on the species-specific allelopathic interactions between macrophytes and marine HAB dinoflagellates. PLOS ONE (2017).
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