Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Algal blooms historical outbreaks in the northern coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (1980–2015)

  • Published:
Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) have been serious environmental problems in the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea in recent years. There has been an increase in occurrence of HABs in coastal waters of Hormuzgan Province (to the north of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea) in recent decade, due to eutrophication as a result of human activities. In this review, HAB phenomena in coastal waters of Hormuzgan Province are summarized, including, causative species, timing and the location of blooms during a 35-year time span from 1980 to 2015. This review illustrates that 436 algal blooms have been recorded in the north of the Persian Gulf, formed by 17 species of phytoplankton; 270 of harmful dinoflagellate (Margalefidinium polykrikoides) blooms have led to huge catastrophic impacts on the economy, environment, and society. In addition, most algal blooms (49%) have occurred in the coasts of Bandar Abbas. The data in this review suggest supporting the establishment of an algal bloom monitoring and control program in the coastal waters of the northern part of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (Hormuzgan Province).

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Availability of data and materials

Frequent and geographical distribution the of HABs, dominant HABs causative species, and cell densities of the causative species in Hormuzgan coasts from 1980 to 2015 used in the study are provided by The Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman Ecological Research Institute. Datasets will be made available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

References

  • Abootalebi Jahromi, F., Moore, F., Keshavarzi, B., Mohebbi-Nozar, S. L., Mohammadi, Z., Sorooshian, A., & Abbasi, S. (2020). Bisphenol a (BPA) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the surface sediment and bivalves from Hormozgan Province coastline in the Northern Persian Gulf: A focus on source apportionment. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110941

  • Alavian, Z., Riahi, H. M., Nadushan, R., Reeisi, B., & Fatemi, S. M. R. (2018). Evaluation of ecological status of the Persian Gulf inshore waters (Hormozgan rocky bottoms) using macrophytic communities and a macro algae biological index. EEI. Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 17(1), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.22092/IJFS.2018.115619

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Azri, A., Al-Hashmi, K., Goes, J., Gomes, H., Rushdi, A. I., Al-Habsi, H., Al-Khusaibi, R., & Al-Azri, N. (2007). Seasonality of the bloom-forming heterotrophic dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillans in the Gulf of Oman in relation to environmental conditions. International Journal of Oceans and Oceanography, 2, 51–60.

    Google Scholar 

  • Al-Azri, A. R., Piontkovski, S. A., Al-Hashmi, K. A., Goes, J. I., Gomes, H. R., & Glibert, P. M., (2014). Mesoscale and Nutrient Conditions Associated with the Massive 2008 Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Bloom in the Sea of Oman/Arabian Gulf. Estuaries and Coasts, 37(2), 325–338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-013-9693-1

  • Al-Azri, A. R., Al-Hashmi, K. A., Al-Habsi, H., Al-Azri, N., & Al-Khusaibi, S. (2015). Abundance of harmful algal blooms in the coastal waters of Oman: 2006–2011. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management, 18(3), 269–281. https://doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2015.1027131

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Al-Kandari, M., Al-Yamani, F. Y. & Al-Rifaie, K. (2009). Marine phytoplankton atlas of Kuwait’s waters. – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat, Kuwait.

  • Al-Yamani, F. Y., Polikarpov, I., & Saburova, M. (2020). Marine life mortalities and harmful algal blooms in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Aquatic Ecosystem Health & Management. https://doi.org/10.1080/14634988.2020.1798157

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fatemi, S. M. R., Nabavi, S. M. B., Vosoghi, G., Fallahi, M., & Mohammadi, M. (2012). The relation between environmental parameters of Hormuzgan coastline in Persian Gulf and occurrence of the first harmful algal bloom of Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Gymnodiniaceae). Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences, 11(3), 475–489.

  • Gholami, Z., Mortazavi, M. S., & Karbassi, A. (2019). Environmental risk assessment of harmful algal blooms case study: Persian Gulf and Oman Sea located at Hormozgan Province. Iran. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment, 25, 271–296. https://doi.org/10.1080/10807039.2018.1501660

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gobler, C. J., Anderson, O. R., Berry, D. L., Burson, A., Koch, F., Rodgers, B., Koza-Moore, L., Goleski, J., Allam, B., Bowser, P., Tang, Y., & Nuzzi, R. (2008). Characterization, dynamics, and ecological impacts of harmful Cochlodinium polykrikoides blooms on eastern Long Island, NY, USA. Harmful Algae, 7, 293–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomaa, M. N., Hannachic, I., Carmichaeld, W. W., Al-Hazmie, M. A., Abouwardac, A. M., Mostafac, E. A., Mohamedc, H. E., Sheikhof, K. M., & Mullag, D. J. (2018). Low diversity triggers harmful algae bloom (HAB) occurrence adjacent to desalination plants along the Red Sea. Desalination and Water Treatment, 114, 1–2. https://doi.org/10.5004/dwt.2018.22323

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Griffith, A. W., Shumway, S. E., & Gobler, C. J. (2019). Differential mortality of North Atlantic bivalve mollusks during harmful algal blooms caused by the dinoflagellate, Cochlodinium (a.k.a. Margalefidinium) polykrikoides. Estuaries and Coasts, 42, 190–203. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12237-018-0445-0

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hamzehei, S., Bidokhti, A. A., Mortazavi, M. S., & Ghebi, A. (2013). Red tide monitoring in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman using MODIS sensor data. Technical Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 3(12), 1100–1107.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heil, C. A., Glibert, P. M., Al-Sarawi, M. A., Faraj, M., Behbehani, M., & Husain, M. (2001). First record of a fish-killing Gymnodinium sp. bloom in Kuwait Bay, Arabian Sea: Chronology and potential causes. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 214, 15–23. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps214015

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hendi N. I. ( 1964). An introductory account of the smaller algae of British coastal waters, Part V: Acillariophyceae, Her Majesty s Stationery Office.

  • Ibrahim, H. D., & Eltahir, E. A. B. (2019). Impact of brine discharge from seawater desalination plants on Persian/Arabian Gulf salinity. Journal of Environmental Engineering, 145(12). https://doi.orrg/10.1061

  • Johns, W. E., Tao, F., Olson, D. B., Josey, S. A., Grist, J. P., & Smeed, D. A. (2003). Observations of seasonal exchange though the Straits of Hormuz and the inferred heat and freshwater budgets of the Persian Gulf. Journal of Geophysical Research, 108, 3391–3409.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, D. I., Matsuyama, Y., Nagasoe, S., Yamaguchi, M., Yoon, Y. H., Oshima, Y., Imada, N., & Honjo, T. (2004). Effects of temperature, salinity and irradiance on the growth of the harmful red tide dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides Margalef (Dinophyceae). Journal of Plankton Research, 26(1), 61–66

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li, Z., Han, M. S., Matsuoka, K., Kim, S. Y., & Shin, H. H. (2014). Identification of the resting cyst of Cochlodinium polykrikoidesMargalef (Dinophyceae, Gymnodiniales) in Korean coastal sediments. Journal of Phycology, 51(1), 204–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpy.12252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mirza Esmaeili, F., Mortazavi, M. S., & Dehghan Banadaki, A. R. (2020a). An overview of management and monitoring of harmful algal blooms in the northern part of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (Hormuzgan Province). Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 192, 42. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-019-8002-2

  • Mirza Esmaeili. F., Mortazavi. M., Arjomandi. R., & Lahijanian. A. (2020b). A study on red tide risk and basic understanding of fishermen and residents in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran (Persian Gulf). International Journal of Fuzzy Systems, 19(1), 471–487. https://doi.org/10.22092/IJFS.2019.119690

  • Moradi, M., & Kabiri K. (2012) Red tide detection in the Strait of Hormuz (east of the Persian Gulf) using MODIS fluorescence 391 data. International Journal of Remote Sensing, 33(4), 1015–1028. https://doi.org/10.1080/01431161.2010.545449

  • Mortazavi, M. S., Negaresran, H., & Aeinjamshid, K. (2009). Introduction of HAB monitoring and mitigation facilities and capacities of South Korea. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Institute, Bandar Abbas, Iran, 24–30.

  • Nabizadeh, R., Sajadi, M., Rastkari, N., & Yaghmaeian, K. (2019). Micro plastic pollution on the Persian Gulf shoreline: A case study of Bandar Abbas city, Hormozgan Province. Iran. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 145, 536–546.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nadim, F., Bagtzoglou, C., & Iranmahboob, J. (2008). Coastal management in the Persian Gulf region within the framework of the ROPME program of action. Ocean and Coastal Management, 51, 556–565.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nazzal, N. (2009). “Red tide”shuts desalination plant, Gulf News, Dubai, UAE, 3 March 2009. Available from https://archive.Gulfnews.com/indepth/redtide/morestories/10297763.html

  • Nejatkhah Manavi, P. (2013). Heavy metals in water, sediment and macrobenthos in the interdidal zone of Hormozgan Province, Iran. Marine Science, 3(2), 39–47. https://doi.org/10.5923/j.ms.20130302.01

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Olalekan, A. A., & Malik, K. (2015). Application of Giovanni for rapid assessment of harmful algal blooms in the Arabian Gulf. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 8, 8767–8775. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-015-1826-3

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute (PGOSERI). (2010). Summary achieved and actions in the management of red tide in the coastal waters of Hormuzgan Province. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Institute, Bandar Abbas, Iran, 25.

  • Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute (PGOSERI). (2016). The monitoring plans of algal blooms in the coastal waters of Hormuzgan Province. Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Institute, Bandar Abbas, Iran, 340.

  • Polikarpov, I., Saburova, M., & Al-Yamani, F. (2016). Diversity and distribution of winter phytoplankton in the Arabian Gulf and the Sea of Oman. Continental Shelf Research, 119, 85–99. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2016.03.009

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rajan, A., & Al Abdessalaam, T. Z. (2008). Guide to common marine phytoplankton in Abu Dhabi waters. Environmental Agency-Abu Dhabi, UAE, 127 pp.

  • Richlen, M. L., Morton, S. L., Jamali, E. A., Rajan, A., & Anderson, D. M. (2010). The catastrophic 2008–2009 red tide in the Arabian Gulf region, with observations on the identification and phylogeny of the fish-killing dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides. Harmful Algae, 9, 163–172. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2009.08.013

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Saeedi, H., Kamrani, E., & Matsuoka, K. (2011). Catastrophic Impact of Red Tides of Cochlodinium Polykrikoides on the Razor Clam Solen Dactylus in Coastal Waters of the Northern Persian Gulf, 2(6), 13–20. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2013.03.004

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shirvani, A., Nazemosadat, M. J., & Kahya, E. (2015). Analyses of the Persian Gulf sea surface temperature: Prediction and detection of climate change signals. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 8, 2121–2130. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-014-1278-1

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stéphane, P., Pascal, L., & Xavier, C. (2015). A model of the general circulation in the Persian Gulf and in the Strait of Hormuz: Intraseasonal to interannual variability. Continental Shelf Research, 94, 55–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2014.12.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Subba Rao, D. V., Al-Yamani, F., Lennox, A., Pan, Y., & Al-Said, F. O. (1999). Short communication. Biomass and production characteristics of the first red tide noticed in Kuwait Bay, Arabian Gulf. Journal of Plankton Research, 21(4), 805–810.

  • Tang, Y. Z., & Gobler, C. J. (2012). The toxic dinoflagellate Cochlodinium polykrikoides (Dinophyceae) produce resting cysts. Harmful Algae, 20, 71–80. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2012.08.001

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Taylor, F. J. R. (1976). Dinoflagellates from International Indian Ocean Expedition, Report on Material Collected by the R.V. Anton Bruun 1963–1064. E. Schweizerbart Sche Verlagsbuchandlung Stuttgart.

  • Thangaraja, M., Al-Aisry, A., Al-Kharusi, L., & Al Shaqsi, H. (2000). Phytoplankton blooms, red tide phenomena and recorded impacts in Oman. MSFC Annual Report. Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Sultanate of Oman.

  • The Regional Organization for Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME). (2018). Meeting of the Regional Task Force on Eutrophication and HABs. Restricted ROPME/WG-176/4. Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, 601.

  • Thoppil, P. G., & Hogan, P. J. (2009). On the mechanisms of episodic salinity outflow events in the Strait of Hormuz. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 39, 1340–1360.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Thoppil, P. G., & Hogan, P. J. (2010). A modeling study of circulation and eddies in the Persian Gulf. Journal of Physical Oceanography, 40, 2122–2134.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tomas C. R. (1997). Identifying marine phytoplankton Academic Press 0-12-693018-X. XV, 858.

  • Xin, X., Zhang, H., Lei, P., Tang, W., Yin, W., Li, J., Zhong, H., & Li, K. (2020). Algal blooms in the middle and lower Han River: Characteristics, early warning and prevention. Science of the Total Environment, 706, 135293. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135293

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, J., & Ghedira, H. (2014). Monitoring red tide with satellite imagery and numerical models: A case study in the Arabian Gulf. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 79, 305–313.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to express their special thanks to the academic staff and researchers of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Institute for the provision of data. We also would like to thank Rasoul Dakhili of Haraz University for assistance with figures.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Environment and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Fatemeh Mirza Esmaeili

  2. Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Persian Gulf and Oman Sea Ecological Research Institute, Iranian Fisheries Sciences Research Institute, Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan, Iran

    Mohammad Seddiq Mortazavi, Freshteh Saraji & Seyedeh Laili Mohebbi Nozar

  3. Islamic Azad University Bandar Abbas, Bandar Abbas, Iran

    Alireza Dehghan Banadaki

Authors
  1. Fatemeh Mirza Esmaeili
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mohammad Seddiq Mortazavi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Alireza Dehghan Banadaki
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Freshteh Saraji
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Seyedeh Laili Mohebbi Nozar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Fatemeh Mirza Esmaeili or Mohammad Seddiq Mortazavi.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Mirza Esmaeili, F., Mortazavi, M.S., Dehghan Banadaki, A. et al. Algal blooms historical outbreaks in the northern coastal waters of the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea (1980–2015). Environ Monit Assess 193, 648 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09413-3

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-021-09413-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation