The First Occurrence of Red Tide Caused by Karenia sp. in the Atlantic Moroccan Coast (Oualidia Lagoon)

Abstract

An intense bloom of Karenia sp. was reported in the Oualidia lagoon, part of Atlantic Moroccan coast. The highest concentrations are 1.04 × 10 7 cells/L, and have been noted at the park station 7. High nutrient concentrations have been observed, and PO 4 was the highest value (av. 396.18 µg/L) recorded at Parc 7. This massive proliferation caused a red tide which extended over 25 km from the Atlantic coast. This event was accompanied by stranding of macroalgae.