Australia (Web Desk): A toxic algae responsible for the deaths of millions of marine organisms last year in South Australia has been described as the most dangerous and powerful toxic algae of its kind discovered so far.
According to research, a mysterious foam appeared along the coastal areas of South Australia in March 2025, after which thousands of fish began dying. During this period, several surfers also suffered symptoms including coughing, throat irritation, and blurred vision.
The foam spread across a large coastal area of Waitpinga Beach, resulting in the deaths of a large number of marine creatures, including seahorses, fish, and octopuses.
Experts say that the algae bloom, which continued for several months, had significant negative impacts on the environment, economy, and human health of South Australia.
Later, scientists discovered that the disaster was caused by neurotoxic substances released by a microscopic algae species called Karenia cristata.
According to a new study published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution, the toxic effects of Karenia cristata are far more powerful compared with other harmful algae identified in previous research.
During the study, scientists conducted experiments on different laboratory-grown types of Karenia cristata. The findings revealed that the algae’s unusually toxic properties were the main cause behind the large-scale deaths of invertebrate marine animals, fish, marine mammals, and birds last year.