Fh. Chang et al., Occurrence and distribution of Karenia brevisulcata (Dinophyceae) during the 1998 summer toxic outbreaks on the central east coast of New Zealand, PHYCOLOGIA, 40(3), 2001, pp. 215-222
Massive mortality of marine life and algal blooms around central New Zealan
d during January and March 1998 have been attributed to the toxic dinoflage
llate, Karenia brevisulcata = Gymnodinium brevisulcatum). phytoplankton sur
veys in January and February 1998 showed the presence of K. brevisulcata bo
th offshore, in the relatively warm, southwards-directed East Auckland and
East Cape Currents, and inshore, in the relatively cold, northwards-directe
d Wairarapa Coastal Current, along the entire east coast of the North Islan
d. Small numbers of this species (200 cells l(-1)) were also recorded on th
e southwest coast of North Island. A bloom of K. brevisulcata occurred in W
ellington Harbour during February-March 1998. Reports of human respiratory
distress progressed northwards along the Wairarapa Coast at about the same
speed (0.23 m s(-1)) as observed for the Wairarapa Coastal Current, suggest
ing the passage of a bloom along the coast, We relate the timing of these e
vents to local oceanographic conditions.