Since last September 24, a serious environmental emergency has occurred in the Valdés Peninsula, as a result of the death of 15 Whales southern franks.
From the moment the first death was reported, the Conservation Institute of Whales (ICB); In support of other organizations, they began an investigation to determine the causes of the deaths of the specimens.
For this, necropsies were performed at Whales that were found in the Golfo Nuevo and, although the causes are still being investigated, the main hypothesis is that the individuals had poisoning by harmful algal blooms, a phenomenon also known as red tide.
This is because “very high levels of biotoxins” were detected in the samples taken from plankton and bivalves.as explained by researchers from the Southern Right Whale Health Monitoring Program (PMSBFA).
“We have collected a series of samples of organs, tissues and fluids from the Whales that are essential to detect the presence of biotoxins, which we investigate as a possible cause of death of these Whalesas a result of the intense algal bloom and high levels of biotoxins detected in plankton and bivalves in the area”.
In addition, they add that “The samples of the Whales They have already been pre-processed in facilities of CESIMAR, CCT CENPAT, CONICET, and will be analyzed by Drs. Nora Montoya and Belén Mattera from the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (INIDEP)”.
Although 15 specimens have died so far, it is not ruled out that more will die in the coming days. individualsso the researchers carry out constant monitoring in the area.
Why does red tide affect whales?
According to the ICB report, the so-called “harmful algal blooms affect some organisms and not others. For example, bivalves such as mussels and mussels are not affected and act as concentrators and vectors, making it easier for the toxins to pass to other organisms at higher levels of the food chain, such as mammals and birds”.
In the case of Whales“concentrated biotoxins can cause various health damages and even death. Some toxins have paralyzing properties and affect the respiratory system, and can cause death by suffocation. Others affect the gastrointestinal system and nerves.”
