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Some algae can be harmful to humans. A few species produce toxins that may be concentrated in shellfish and finfish, which are thereby rendered unsafe or poisonous for human consumption. The dinoflagellates (class Dinophyceae) are the most notorious producers of toxins. Paralytic shellfish poisoning is caused by the neurotoxin saxitoxin or any of at least 12 related compounds, often produced by the dinoflagellates Alexandrium tamarense and Gymnodinium catenatum. Diarrheic shellfish poisoning is caused by okadaic acids that are produced by several kinds of algae, especially species of Dinophysis. Neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, caused by toxins produced in Gymnodinium breve, is notorious for fish kills and shellfish poisoning along the coast of Florida in the United States. When the red tide blooms are blown to shore, wind-sprayed toxic cells can cause health problems for humans and other animals that breathe the air.
Not all shellfish poisons are produced by dinoflagellates. Amnesic shellfish poisoning is caused by domoic acid produced by diatoms (class Bacillariophyceae), such as Nitzschia pungens and N. pseudodelicatissima. Symptoms of this poisoning in humans progress from abdominal cramps to vomiting to memory loss to disorientation and finally to death.
Ciguatera is a disease of humans caused by consumption of tropical fish that have fed on the alga Gambierdiscus or Ostreopsis. Unlike many other algal toxins, ciguatoxin and maitotoxin are concentrated in finfish rather than shellfish. Levels as low as one part per billion in fish can be sufficient to cause human intoxication.
Several algae produce toxins lethal to fish. Prymnesium parvum (class Prymnesiophyceae) has caused massive die-offs in ponds where fish are cultured, and Chrysochromulina polylepis (class Prymnesiophyceae) has caused major fish kills along the coasts of the Scandinavian countries. Other algae, such as Heterosigma (class Raphidophyceae) and Dictyocha (class Dictyochophyceae), are suspected fish killers as well.
Algae can cause human diseases by directly attacking human tissues, although the frequency is rare. Protothecosis, caused by the chloroplast-lacking green alga, Prototheca, can result in waterlogged skin lesions, in which the pathogen grows. Prototheca organisms may eventually spread to the lymph glands from these subcutaneous lesions. Prototheca is also believed to be responsible for ulcerative dermatitis in the platypus. Very rarely, similar infections in humans and cattle can be caused by chloroplast-bearing species of Chlorella.
Some seaweeds contain high concentrations of arsenic and when eaten may cause arsenic poisoning. The brown alga Hizikia, for example, contains sufficient arsenic to be used as a rat poison.