Acute toxicity of Aureococcus anophagefferens on Artemia sinica and mice, and stimulation of the alga on rabbit skin and eyes

In summer of 2011,harmful algae bloom(HAB)caused by picoplanktonic alga Aureococcus anophagefferens broke out again along the coast of Qinhuangdao Island,China.In order to understand the toxicity and the impact on human health,acute toxicity of the bloom water against Artemia sinica and the feeding rate of A.sinica on A.anophagefferens were studied under laboratory conditions.Stimulation effects of A.anophagefferens monoclonal culture on skins and eyes of rabbits were also studied.In addition,acute oral toxicity tests were carried out on mice.The results showed that the bloom water has no impact on the survival of A.sinica within 48 h.A.sinica could feed on A.anophagefferens,and the feeding rate increased with cell density of A.anophagefferens.The highest feeding rate of A.sinica within 8 h was up to 3 287 cells/ind/h.A.anophagefferens had no discernible effect on rabbits' skins and eyes,and also had no effect on mice.It is relatively safe for people working or swimming in the sea during the A.anophagefferens bloom.