Harmful Algal Blooms in Omani waters and their
effect on Desalination plant
Hamed Mohammed Al Gheilani
Marine Ecology Expert
+968 99340685
e-mail: asadalaqidah@gmail.com
Main Topics:
1- Introduction (HABs history in Omani Waters: An Overview)
2- HABs Monitoring Programmes in Oman
3 - HABs: phenomena analysis
4- HABs events last 4 years (2010-2013).. (Effect of HABs on
Desalination plant)
5- New HABs published paper
6 - Conclusion and Recommendation
1- Introduction (HABs history in Omani Waters: An overview)
Dinophysis sp.
Prorocentrum sp.
Rhizosolenia sp.
Trichodesmium sp.
Gonyaulax sp.
Ceratium
Cochlodinium
Noctiluca scintillans
Introduction: HAB species in Oman
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Introduction: HAB species in Oman
.Table 1 Phytoplankton species causing HAB in Omani waters and their effects
Single species
Noctiluca scintillans
Number of cases
Impact
37
Cochlodinium polykrikoides
Ceratium sp.
21
6
Rhizosolenia sp.
Trichodesmium sp.
3
Gonyaulax polygramma
Prorocentrum sp.
Coscinodiscus sp.
Karenia mikimotoi
4
2
1
1
4
Fish mortality (6)
No damage (31)
Fish and shellfish mortality (21)
Fish mortality (3)
No damage (3)
No damage
Fish Mortality (1)
No damage (3)
Fish mortality (4)
No damage
Fish mortlaity
No damage
Mixed speceis Number of cases
Impact
Gonyaulax sp., N. scintillans
2
Fish mortality (2)
Ceratium fusus, C. macroceros, diatoms
1
Fish mortality
N. scintillans, C. furca, C. macroceros, P. micans, Pyrophacus
holorogicum, Peridinium sp.
Rhizosolenia sp., Pleurosigma sp., Nitzschia pungens, Coscinodiscus spp.,
Fragilaria sp., Triceratium sp., Chaetoceros sp., Ceratium sp.
1
No damage
Coscinodiscus marginalis, Asteromphalus spp., Chaetoceros sp.,
Rhizosolenia sp., Ceratium sp.
Dinophysis sp., Ceratium spp.
N. pungens, Rhizisolenia alata, Thalassiosira sp., Cyclotella sp., Pyrocystis
sp., Gymnodium splendens, P. minimum, P. arabianum
Cochlodinium
1
1
1
1
20
No mortality
No mortality
Fish mortality
Fish, Green turtle and bird mortality
Fish and shellfish mortality
2012
2011
Nov
2010
2009
2008
Oct
2007
2006
2005
Sep
2004
2003
2002
Aug
2001
2000
1999
Jul
1998
1997
Jun
1996
No fish kill
1995
1994
May
1993
No fish kill
1992
1991
Apr
1990
12
1989
20
1988
Mar
1987
1986
1985
Feb
1984
1983
1982
Jan
1981
1980
1979
1978
1977
1976
Introduction: History of Red tide in Oman
25
Fish kill
15
10
5
0
Dec
18
16
14
Fish kill
10
8
6
4
2
0
Introduction: History of Red tide in Oman
Period
Major Species
Area
Mortality
Aug 1976
-
Salalah
7000-1000 tons of fish
Sep 1988
Ceratium fucus
C. macroceros
Diatom
Seeb to Qurum
Mass mortality of
marine organisms
Aug-Sep 2000
Coscinodiscus spp
Barka
15-30 tons of fish
Mar 2001
-
Sur
250 tons of fish
Apr 2001
-
Al Sharqiya
34 tons
Nov-Dec 2001
-
Al Sharqiya and Al 40 tons of fish
Wasta
250 turtles
Jan 2004
-
Bander Kharan
October 2005
Noctiluca
scintillans; Masirah
Prorocentrum
micans
and
Trichodesmium erythraeum
Massive Fish Kill
September 2006
-
Massive fish kill
August
2009
2008-April Cochlodinium polykrikoides
Sohar
3000 tuna fish
Arabian Gulf , Sea 200 tons of fish and
of
Oman
and shellfish
Arabian Sea
2- HABs Monitoring programmes in Oman
Harmful Algae blooms Monitoring Programme in Oman:
Project of HABs Monitoring: 2008-2012 ASSESSMENTS OF MESOSCALE PHYSICALBIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS ALONG THE COAST OF OMAN AS THE BASIS FOR
UNDERSTANDING THE PERIODIC FISHERIES. :
Activities of the Projects
organization and compilation of a database: The Database software already
establish (data were already collected from Germany, Oman and Ukraine).
Database software will presented in this presentation
Remote sensing data extraction: ROPME and other Satellite images were collected
and organized for Chlorophyll a, current, DO, Wind, Salinity, temp. …..etc.
Different satellite images and modeling will presented in this presentation.
• The organization of algal and bacterial culture collection of species that is
responsible for HABs events were collected and analyzed (for bacteria not yet analyzed) .
*
Data Regarding HABs in 2008-2009 were reported and analyzed.
National Action Plan: DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING, MANAGEMENT AND
RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR RED TIDES IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN
DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING,
MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM
FOR RED TIDES IN THE SULTANATE OF
OMAN
Final Cost Proposal Donald M. Anderson
Anderson Consulting Associates
National Action Plan: DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING,
MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM FOR RED TIDES IN THE
SULTANATE OF OMAN
Will be implemented by Ministry of Fisheries Wealth, Ministry of Environment
and Climate Affairs and Sultan Qaboos University
Prepared By: Donald M. Anderson (USA)
Including 3 phases; for Period of 5 years
Containing: 14 elements
Cost about: 700,000$
It is already approved from the Ministry but not yet fund it
Harmful Algae blooms Monitoring Programme in Oman:
DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING, MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM
FOR RED TIDES IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN (National Action plan).
Specific objectives of the Program are to:
• Protect public health
• Protect existing and developing fisheries industries (capture and
aquaculture)
• Protect tourists, residents, and the tourism industry from toxic and
nontoxic blooms
• Protect ecosystem resources
• Protect potable water supplies
• Build national capacity (infrastructure and personnel) for monitoring
and management of red tides and other marine environmental issues
Harmful Algae blooms Monitoring Programme in Oman:
DEVELOPMENT OF A MONITORING, MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH PROGRAM
FOR RED TIDES IN THE SULTANATE OF OMAN (National Action plan).
Project Elements and Activities
Oman Red Tide Monitoring and Management Program will be developed through
activities under the following project elements:
• Biotoxin monitoring
• Phytoplankton and environmental quality monitoring
• Shellfish stock assessment
• Shellfish sanitation
• Desalination guidance and impact prevention
• Bloom control and prevention strategies
• Fish farm sitting, protection and bloom impact mitigation
• Red tide field surveys and research
• Numerical modeling and forecasting
• Remote sensing
• Event Response Team
• National Plan formulation and structure
• Communication, education, and outreach
• Marine Environmental Information System
3- type of data and analysis of HABs in Oman
Observations of C. polykrikoides blooms in Arabian and Oman Coasts
The blooms of C. polykrikoides were started in east of Arabian Sea and north Oman Sea in August 2008.
 The blooms reached Oman North coast in September 2008, causing discoloration of Musandam and north Al
Batinah coast but no fish kill record.
 In seventh of October 2008 about 1ton of fish were observed killed in Shinas coat inside fishermen harbor, north
Al Batinah.
 In 27 of October, the blooms reached Muscat coast and extended for two weeks, killing few hundred wild fish.
 In 23 of November 2008, the blooms reached to Aquaculture farms in Qurayat, south Muscat and killed all
aquaculture Goldlined sea bream in the cages which was about 70tons as well as wild fish which was around 10 tons.
 In 28 of November 2008, the blooms reached North
Arabian Sea and killed 5tons of wild fish in Sur.
 In January, February, March and April 2009,
many fish killed in Sharqiah region including Sur and
Al Ashkarah coasts.
 In January, February and April 2009, a lot of
C. polykrikoides blooms causing tons of fish kill
in Masirah and Al Dokom in Al Wasta coast.
 During April 2009, massive shellfish killed by the
blooms along north coast of Al Batinah coast leading
to 70 tons of shellfish lost
Observations of C. polykrikoides blooms in Arabian and Oman Coasts
Date, site and amount of fish and shellfish killed during C. polykrikoides blooms in 2008-2009.
Date o Fish kill or HABs
and site
7/10/2008 in Shinas, Al Batinah
12/10/2008 in Saham, Al Batinah
20/10/2008 in Soaik, Al Batinah
27/10-8/11/2008, Al seeb to
14/11/2008, Muscat
14/11/2008 in Sohar, Al Batinah
23/11/2008 in Qurayat, Muscat
28/11/2008 in Sur , Al Sharkyah
7/1/2009 in Sur, Al Sharkyah
24/1/2009 in Masirah, Al Sharkiah
27/1/2009 in Al Ashkarah, Al
Sharkiah
28/1/2009 in Masirah, Al Sharkiah
31/1/2009 in Shoymiah, Dhohar
1/2/2009 in Masirah, Al Sharkiah
9/3/2009 in Hasek , Dophar
7-9/3/2009 in Al Ashkarah, Sharqiah
21/3/2009 in Hasek, Dophar
4-11/4/2009 in Al Dokom, Al Wasta
10/4/2009 in Sohar
Al Batainah
16/4/2009 in Sohar
Al Batainah
Estimated amount of
marine organisms killed
500kg-1 ton
Notes
5 tons
1 tons
5 tons
5 tons
5-10 tons
5 tons
5 tons
Few fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
Wild fish
About 70 tons
Wild shellfish
All fish kill were inside the fishermen
harbor or in the fish traps
3-5 tons
Fish killed in fishermen traps
3-5 tons
Fish killed in fishermen traps
Few of demersal fish killed fish killed inside fishermen traps
Few wild fish
Wild fish
5 tons
Fish killed inside the fishermen harbor
70 tons aquaculture fish
Fish killed in aquaculture cages and wild
10 tons wild fish
fish
5 tons
Fish killed inside the fishermen harbor
5 tons
Fish killed inside the fishermen harbor
5-10 tons
Fish killed inside the fishermen harbor
5 tons
Wild fish
Observations of C. polykrikoides blooms in Arabian and Oman Coasts
Species of fish killed during 2008-2009 C. polykrikoides blooms which used for microbiology, heavy metals and
parasites analyses.
Species of Fish killed
Species of shellfish
Acanthopagrus latus
Mactra glabratalilacea
Alepes djedaba
Neverita didyma
Drepanae longimana
Apolymatis angulata
Nemipterus Japonicus
Acanthopagrus latus
Sargocentron rubrum
Lethrinus lentjan
Lethrinus elongatus
Lethrinus elongatus
Lethrinus lentjan
Lethrinus mahsenoides
Nemipterus Japonicus
Drepanae longimana
Pterois antennata
Sargocentron rubrum
Sargocentron praslinid (2 fish)
Apogw aureus (2 fish)
Scarus arabiaus
Plectorhinchus flavomaculatus
Lethrinus mahsenoides
Gerres filamentosus
Pempheris varicolenius
Mulloides flavolineatus (2 fish)
Scolopsis ghanam (2 fish)
Parupeneus macronema
Arius bilineatus
Myripristis murdjan
Plectorhinchns flavomaculatus
Siganus rivulatus
Apolymatis angulata
Mactra glabratalilacea
Neverita didyma
Siganus rivulatus
Alepes djedaba
Species identification
 in some samples other associated species but at less quantity were fund. These species
were Ceratium Furca, Ceratium fusus, Proroceratum gracile, Trichodesmium sp., Rhizolenia
setigera, Pseudonitschia sp., Ostreopsis sp., Thalassiothrix frauenfeldii, Dinophsis candata
and Pleurosigma normaii.
The C. polykrikoides light microscopy images taken from Omani waters
The C. polykrikoides scanning electron microscopy images taken from Omani waters
* Bacteria: The twenty four fish which tested for Total Plate count (TPC), Total Coliforms,
Escherbia coli, Staphylococcus, Salmonella, and Vibrio bacteria, did not detect any abnormal
levels of these species of bacteria on any fish samples.
* Heavy metals (total mercury, lead and cadmium) were also tested for same species and number
fish used in microbiology and parasites. As well as microbiology test, no abnormal levels of these
heavy metals were found in all tested fish.
* Parasites: The test of parasites including twenty four fish which also used for bacteria and
heavy metal tests, as well as, ten Indian oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps), five normal and five
affected by C. polykrikoides bloom. For all tests of parasites no effect of blooms on parasites
quantity. No variation were found between normal and effected by bloom Indian oil sardine.
* Organic and inorganic compounds :All tests of water quality including organic and inorganic
compounds obtained from many different stations during blooms were not detected any abnormal
levels of these compounds.
Gill histology
* The surface area of the fish gill
affected by C. polykrikoides bloom, the
lamellae appeared damage in some
fish and was reduced by 33% and their
surface area was (51.9%).
* Proliferation of mucus cells which
could clog the gill during the blooms.
Distance between
Length
two
Secondary
Secondary
lamellae
lamellae
49.2±8.1
78.7±9.5
13.9±1.9
38.5±5.7
84.9%
31.4±6.1
48.9±6.2
13.3±2.5
29.3±4.9
51.9%
secondary
lamellae
Normal fish
of
Width
of
Width of
Surface
Primary
area
lamellae
gill
Fish gill
affected by C.
polykrikoides
Scanning Electron microscopy image (scale bar
50µm) of primary lamellae (triangle) and
secondary lamellae (arrow) of normal Indian
oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) gill (left) and
affected by C. polykrikoides gill of same fish
(right).
Light microscopy image (scale bar 200µm) of
primary lamellae (triangle) and secondary
lamellae (arrow) normal Indian oil sardine
(Sardinella longiceps) gill (left) and effected by
C. polykrikoides gill of same fish (right).
Dissolved oxygen levels
were the lowest during October 2008, either in near shore sea surface (5.6mg/l) or in the deep offshore
site (0.4-2mg/l), this month was the month when the fish killed were started in the North Oman Sea
area, in Sohar and Shinas sites. However, the mean sea surface DO was 7.5mg/l for sea surface and
3.6mg/l in deep offshore sea water. During first day of fish kill due to C. polykrikoides bloom in 7
October 2008, the DO levels were reduced to 1.8mg/l in 15m depth and it reached to very low levels
inside the port and it was 0.2mg/l in sea surface.
11
Dissolved Oxygen in Fahal Island 2008-2009 O2ppm
10
9
8
7
6
11-May-09
27-Apr-09
13-Apr-09
30-Mar-09
16-Mar-09
2-Mar-09
16-Feb-09
2-Feb-09
19-Jan-09
5-Jan-09
22-Dec-08
8-Dec-08
24-Nov-08
10-Nov-08
27-Oct-08
13-Oct-08
29-Sep-08
15-Sep-08
1-Sep-08
5
Temperature
• The deep offshore temperature levels were the lowest during October and November
which was less than 22C°. While the mean temperature levels at deep sea was 23.1C°.
• The near shore sea surface temperature was high and exceed 28C° in October. The mean
sea surface temperature level was 26.7C°
• During first day of fish kill due to C. polykrikoides bloom in 7 October 2008, the
temperature levels were high and ranged from 30-31C°
11-May-09
27-Apr-09
13-Apr-09
30-Mar-09
16-Mar-09
2-Mar-09
16-Feb-09
2-Feb-09
19-Jan-09
5-Jan-09
22-Dec-08
8-Dec-08
24-Nov-08
27-Oct-08
13-Oct-08
29-Sep-08
15-Sep-08
1-Sep-08
32
30
28
26
24
22
20
10-Nov-08
Temp. from Fahal Island 2008-2009
Satellite images showed high levels
of temperatures
Satellite images showed high
levels of temperatures in Oman
Sea before C. polykrikoides
blooms (June to September) and
in the beginning of blooms in
October 2008. However, the
temperature levels were reduced
in the middle of October 2008
and continued to decrease until
the end of blooms in April 2009.
On the other hand, the
temperature levels, in Arabian
Sea were low for all the C.
polykrikoides blooms (October
2008-April 2009)
Temperature
A
B
C
Sea surface temperatures during C. polykrikoides blooms ; a) in 7 October,
2008 when the first day of fish kill recorded in Oman Sea, b) in 28 October
2008, the day of fish kill in Muscat, Oman Sea, c) in 10 December 2010, when
the blooms inter Arabian Sea and causing fish kill (arrow show the fish kill
site).
current speed
Current speed were measured in the offshore deep waters and found at •
lowest speed in October and November 2008, when the C. polykrikoides started
affected marine organisms.
Current speed (cm/s) during fish kill month, October 2008 in Shenas in 12km
offshore 66m depth
14.00
12.00
10.00
8.00
6.00
4.00
2.00
0.00
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Salinity
The mean salinity level during 2008 in Sohar was 37.1ppt. While the highest level of •
salinity was 38ppt in October 2008 in sea surface near shore.
During first day of fish kill due to C. polykrikoides bloom in 7 October 2008, the salinity •
levels were high and ranged from 37.5 to 38.5ppt .
Salinity in Fahal Area 2008-2009
Salinity at Shenas average of every hour real-time data
in 66m depth and 12km of shore in October 2008
32.7
32.6
32.5
32.4
32.3
32.2
32.1
32
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
11-May-09
4-May-09
27-Apr-09
20-Apr-09
13-Apr-09
6-Apr-09
30-Mar-09
23-Mar-09
16-Mar-09
9-Mar-09
2-Mar-09
23-Feb-09
16-Feb-09
9-Feb-09
2-Feb-09
26-Jan-09
19-Jan-09
12-Jan-09
5-Jan-09
29-Dec-08
22-Dec-08
15-Dec-08
8-Dec-08
1-Dec-08
24-Nov-08
17-Nov-08
10-Nov-08
3-Nov-08
27-Oct-08
20-Oct-08
13-Oct-08
6-Oct-08
29-Sep-08
22-Sep-08
15-Sep-08
8-Sep-08
1-Sep-08
37.2
37
36.8
36.6
36.4
36.2
36
35.8
low pH
Data during first day of fish kill blooms
Temperature, DO (mg/l), Salinity, and pH in shenas in the first day of fish kill in Oman (7
October 2008) during C. polykrikoides blooms; station 1: 3km toward offshore, north the port were fish
kill occurred; station 2: 3km toward offshore, west the port; station 3, inside the port.
Temp.
DO
C°
mg/l
0
30.89
5.94
37.8
6.66
1
4.5
30.9
5.52
37.88
6.67
North Port
1
10.4
30.9
5.17
37.86
6.64
7am
North Port
1
15.9
28.19
1.8
37.59
6.38
7am
North Port
1
19.4
25.59
2.13
37.52
6.46
7:30am
West Port
2
0
31.13
5.21
37.86
6.69
7:30am
West port
2
1.4
31.12
5.14
37.88
6.68
7:30am
West Port
2
3.1
31.11
4.97
37.9
6.68
7:30am
West Port
2
7
31.09
4.42
37.92
6.67
7:30am
West Port
2
9
30.85
3.33
37.88
6.58
8:00am
In port
3
0
31.22
0.17
38.15
6.84
am00:8
In port
3
0.9
31.21
0.18
38.14
6.84
am0:08
In port
3
3.4
31.16
0.2
38.15
6.82
am00:8
In port
3
5.5
31
0.23
38.19
6.88
Time
Location
Station
Depth in m
7am
North Port
1
7am
North Port
7am
Salinity
pH
Units
Toxicity:
Results of survival times of mice injected with fish extracts; flesh as
show the results of the mouse test well as heads/guts from 5 Indian oil sardine fish were combined to
give Sample A and Sample B, respectively.
according to the association of Official
Analytical Chemists (AOAC) procedure
for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). All
of the three mice injected with seawater
extracts survived. For flesh as well as
heads/guts from 5 Indian oil sardine fish
were combined to give Sample A and
Sample B, respectively. For sample A,
mouse 1 were died within 6h while mice 2
and 3 did not died. For sample 2, first mice
died within 1h, mice 2 died within 7h while
mice 3 survived.
estimated limits of detection (LOD) for
major PSP toxin analyzed in multiple
reaction monitoring mode (MRM) for
hydrophilic
interaction
liquid
chromatography with mass spectrometry
(HILIC-MS). The STX and NEO toxin was
detected in high level. While the other
toxin; GTX2, GTX3, GTX1, GTX4 and
GTX5 were within or below the normal
levels.
Survival time (h)
Mouse #1
Mouse # 2
Mouse #3
Sample A
6h
Survival
survival
Sample B
1h
7h
Survival
Estimated limits of detection (LOD) for major PSP toxins
analyzed in multiple reaction monitoring mode (MRM).
Toxin
mam˃min
Limit of Detection
(LOD) ng/ml
STX
300˃ 282
565
nGTX2
396˃ 316
223
GTX3
296˃ 298
11.8
NEO
316˃ 298
2272
GTX1
412˃ 332
167
GTX4
412˃ 314
19
B1(GTX5)
380˃ 300
20
Fish kill in
Aquaculture
Cages
• During the C. polykrikoides blooms, 70
tons of Goldlined seabream, Rhabdosargus
sarba, were killed inside the cages in
qurayat farm, Muscat.
• The C. polykrikoides blooms reached at
7:30am to the cages area.
•The DO levels were drop suddenly from
5.2mg/l at 7:30am to 0mg/l within 30
minutes (8:00am).
•All the fish were killed within 30minutes
as well as all other wild organisms in this
area including shellfish and corals.
Date
Temp.
C°
DO (mg/l)
(minimummaximum)
Current speed
Current
Direction
Water colour
16/11l/2008
27.5
7.6-10.4
Slow current
South to north
Normal colour;
blue
17/11/2008
27.6
6.9-11.9
Slow current
South to north
Normal colour;
blue
18/11/2008
26.8
6.1-8.2
Strong current
North to south
Brown
19/11/2008
26.2
4.6-9.9
Strong current
North to south
Brown
20/11/2008
26.4
5.6-12.5
Strong current
North to south
Brown
21/11/2008
26.6
6.1-7.3
Strong current
North to south
Brown
22/11/2008
26.7
4.9-10.1
Strong current
North to south
Brown
23/11/2008
26.5
0.0-5.2
Strong
current
North to
south
Brown
24/11/2008
26.1
0.0-6.9
Strong current
North to south
Brown
25/11/2008
26.2
0.0-9.1
Strong current
North to south
Brown
Chlorophyll a
Chlorophyll a satellite images show
high concentrations of chlorophyll a
in North Oman Sea started in the
beginning of November 2008. In the
middle
of
November
2008,
chlorophyll a covering all Oman Sea
from Musandam north to Muscat
south and it was reduced in the end
of January 2009. In Arabian Sea,
the chlorophyll a concentrations
were increased in the end of
November 2008 and continue at
high concentration until
the
beginning of April 2009
Chlorophyll a in Fahal Island 2008-2009 (ug/L)
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
11-May-09
4-May-09
27-Apr-09
20-Apr-09
13-Apr-09
6-Apr-09
30-Mar-09
23-Mar-09
16-Mar-09
9-Mar-09
2-Mar-09
23-Feb-09
16-Feb-09
9-Feb-09
2-Feb-09
26-Jan-09
19-Jan-09
12-Jan-09
5-Jan-09
29-Dec-08
22-Dec-08
15-Dec-08
8-Dec-08
1-Dec-08
24-Nov-08
17-Nov-08
10-Nov-08
3-Nov-08
27-Oct-08
20-Oct-08
13-Oct-08
6-Oct-08
29-Sep-08
22-Sep-08
15-Sep-08
8-Sep-08
1-Sep-08
0
identification:
• Based
on
the
molecular
phylogenetic analysis, Iwataki et al.
(2008) recognized three genetically
different types (ribo-types) in C.
East
Asian,
polykrikoides;
Philippines,
and
American/Malaysian types.
• Among
them,
the
American/Malaysian
type
has
distributed mainly in Southeast
Asia and Central to the
southern part of North America.
• The specimens of C. polykrikoides
collected from the Oman Sea and
Iranian coast of the Arabian Gulf
belong to the American/Malaysian
ribo-type .
(Richlen et al. 2010; Matsuka etal., 2010)
Current speed
The bloom of C. polykrikoides occurred in 2008-2009 from the Oman Sea to the Arabian •
Gulf was peculiar due to the continuous occurrence in the southern coast of Iran after
passing through the Hormuz Strait and along the coast of the Oman Sea for more than 9
months. Durations of earlier C. polykrikoides blooms were recorded as around one and
half month in the south coast of Korea in the summer of 1995 (Kim H.G. et al. 1997), and
nearly two months in the Yatsushiro Sea in West Japan also in the summer of 1997 and
1998 (Kim D.I. and Honjo, 2005). It is well known that C. polykrikoides is easily
transported for a long distance by ocean currents.
* The distance of C. polykrikoides migrate was vary long 3000km
* The speed of migration of this species was very high (892m/h)
Cell concentrations:
Highest concentration of C. polykrikoides were recorded in Oman Sea:
Location
Diba (U.A.E.)
Fujairah (U.A.E)
Bandar-e-Abbas (Iran)
Qeshim (Iran)
Larak (Iran)
Minab (Iran)
Maximum cell
density (cells/L)
9.8 x 106
21 x 106
0.58 x 106
7.71 x 106
7.56 x 106
3.55 x 106
Date
Aug.08
Oct.08
Oct.-Dec. 2008
Oct.-Dec. 2008
Oct.-Dec. 2008
Oct.-Dec. 2008
Reference
Al-Yamani (pers. com)
Richlen et al. 2010
Thangaraja (pers. com)
Thangaraja (pers. com)
Thangaraja (pers. com)
Thangaraja (pers. com)
South of Hormuz Is. (Iran)
52.3 x 106
Jan.09
Matsuka et al., 2010
North of Hormuz (Iran)
Khiram South (Kuwait)
Yatsushiro Sea (Japan)
South coast (Korea)
5 x 106
3.8 x 102
28.25 x 106
48 x 106
Oct.-Dec. 2008
Dec.07
July-Aug. 2000
Aug.-Sept. 2003
Thangaraja (pers. com)
Al-Yamani (pers. com)
Yamatogi (2006)
Kim (2005)
Matsuka et al., 2010
Sea of Oman, Arabian
Sea and Arabian Gulf
References
Korean
C.K. Lee, S.O. Jung,
Y.S. Kang,
Y.T. Park and Y. Lee
This study
Species
References
American/Malaysian
Matsuket al.,
unpublished
East Asian
Matsuka et al.,
unpublished
August 2008-April 2009
This study
August to October
C.K. Lee, S.O. Jung,
Y.S. Kang,
Y.T. Park and Y. Lee
28-30
This study
25-28℃
C.K. Lee, S.O. Jung,
Y.S. Kang,
Y.T. Park and Y. Lee
Salinity
37.5-38.5
This study
33-35
C.K. Lee, S.O. Jung,
Y.S. Kang,
Y.T. Park and Y. Lee
Nutrient
52.3 x 106
Matsuka et al.,
unpublished
48 x 106 /l
Kim (2005)
Area Covered
and speed
3000km
892m/h
This study
400km
10m/h
Matsuka et al.,
unpublished
Period of time
of blooms
9months
This study
Two months
Matsuka et al.,
unpublished
types
Season
Temperature
4- HABs events last 4 years (2010-2013).
Including the effect of HABs in Desalination plant
Bloom of Cochlodinium species during 2008-2009
Blooms of HABs and Jelly fish during 2010-2013
Location
Muscat
Species
Noctilluca
Muscat
Noctilluca
3
Date
November + December
2010
January + February
2011
August + September 2011
Barka
Jelly Fish
4
September 2011
Sohar
Jelly fish
5
December 2011
Muscat
Noctillua
6
January 2012
Muscat
Noctilluca
7
March 2012
8
April 2012
Muscat + Al
Batinah Coast
Al Batinah Coast
9
May 2012
Al Batinah Coast
10
September 2012
Barka
Jelly fish + Red
tide species
Red tide + Jelly
fish
Red tide + Jelly
fish
Pachyneis gerlahii
11
October 2012
Al Batinah Coast
12
December 2012
13
January 2013
Muscat + Al
Batinah Coast
Al Batinah coast
1
2
Jelly fish + Red
tide
Jelly fish + Red
tide
Red tide + Jelly
fish blooms
Effect
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
No fish kill
No fish kill
No fish kill
Effected Desalination plan
No fish kill
No fish kill
No fish kill
Blooms effecting desalination plan
Bloom of Noctilluca in December 2010- January 2011
Bloom of Noctilluca in December 2010- January 2011:
Desalination plan Al Khobrah
Blooms effecting desalination plan
Blooms of Noctiluca in Barka in August-September 2011
Jelly fish blooms in Sohar in September 2011
Jelly fish blooms in Barka in September 2011
Blooms effecting desalination plan
Bloom of Noctilluca in December 2011- January 2012 in Muscat
Blooms effecting desalination plan:
Bloom of Pachyneis gerlachii in August 2012- September
2012 in Barka
Blooms effecting desalination plan:
6- Related publication paper
Publication
 Red Tides and harmful Algal Blooms in Coastal Water of Oman
Hamed, M. H. Al Gheilani., Abdulaziz, Y. A. AlKindi., Shehla Amer and Younis K. AlAkhzami..2011
 The occurrence of algal blooms in Omani coastal waters
Adnan Al-Azri , Sergey Piontkovski a , Khalid Al-Hashmi a , Hamed Al-Gheilani , Harib Al-Habsi ,
Salem Al-Khusaibi & Nasser Al-Azri, 2012
 The Relationship between Algal Blooms, Fish Kill Incidents, and Oxygen
Depletions along the Omani Coast
S.A. Piontkovski, H.M.H. Al-Gheilani, B. Jupp, V.Y. Sarma, and A.R. Al-Azri, 2012

Timoides agassizii Bige;ow, 1904, little-known hydromedusa (Cnidaria),
appears briefly in large numbers off Oman, with additional notes about species
of the genus Timoides
Jasmine Pursushothaman, Lubna Al Kharusi, Claudia E. Mills, Hamed Al Gheilani and Mohammed Al
Maezouki, 2014
 Study n Cochlodinium polycrikoides in Oman Sea and Persian Gulf from
August 2008- August 2009.
Kazumi Matsoka, Y Takano., E Kamarant., H Rezae., S Thavarool., Hamed Al Gheilani
6- Conclusion and Recommendation
Conclusion
• Blooms of Different species of Harmful Algae occurred and recorded science1976
• Many Species causing HABs in Omani waters (Noctiluca is the dominant species)
• New species were bloom in 2012 Pachyneis gerlachii
• two programmes of HABs: Monitoring HABs programme Funded by Research Council,
and initiate regional reference LAB of HABs toxicity funded by EIA.
• C. polykikoides species first time blooming in Omani water (September 2008- April 2009).
• The bloom affecting fish and shellfish stock, tourism, Desalination plant, economic ,.etc.
• blooms of 2010-2013 effecting desalination plants in Sohar Muscat, and Barka, but no fish
kill were reported
• the bloom of Jelly fish increasing last 4 years and effecting the Desalination plant in Oman
Recommendation
• Collaboration between private and government and between
different organizations in government sectors need to study and
control HABs bloom.
• regional and international collaboration need between scientist and
institutions for facing HABs in this region.
• Special effort need to reduce the HABs and Red tide,
jellyfish effect on Desalination plan