CIM researcher Rocío Blanca Sújar is carrying out a research stay in Sapporo, exploring the potential of macroalgae to mitigate harmful algal blooms
Rocío Blanca Sújar, a predoctoral researcher in the Biological Oceanography Group at the Marine Research Centre (CIM) of the University of Vigo, is undertaking a three-month research stay at the Civil Engineering Research Institute (CERI), part of the Public Works Research Institute in Sapporo, Japan, to advance the search for new nature-based strategies to address harmful algal blooms. The stay is funded by the Spanish State Research Agency through a doctoral training grant linked to the Biotox project, which focuses on the biological control of the development and toxic potential of harmful algal blooms.
Rocío Blanca’s doctoral research, supervised by Professors Eva Teira and Emilio Fernández-Suárez, investigates the interactions between toxin-producing phytoplankton and their microbiome, that is, the communities of bacteria and other microorganisms associated with these microalgae. The aim is to understand how these relationships may influence the development, persistence and toxicity of harmful algal blooms (HABs).
Her PhD research is carried out mainly in the Ría de Vigo, an ecosystem of great ecological and socio-economic importance due to the intense shellfish harvesting and aquaculture activities it supports. Harmful algal blooms represent one of the main threats to these sectors, as they may force the temporary closure of production areas to prevent toxins accumulated in marine organisms from entering the food chain. Furthermore, these events are increasing in both frequency and intensity in different regions of the world, making further research and the development of new management tools a major scientific and environmental challenge.
The potential of kelp forests
During her stay in Japan, the researcher is collaborating with the team led by Dr Nobuharu Inaba to analyse the role of macroalgal beds, particularly kelp forests, as a potential biological control tool for harmful algal blooms. These marine forests are highly productive ecosystems that host a remarkable diversity of microorganisms and perform essential ecological functions in coastal environments.
The research focuses on characterising the microbiome associated with kelps and evaluating its ability to regulate harmful phytoplankton species. It will also investigate the presence of bacteria with algicidal activity and assess whether the conservation or restoration of these ecosystems could help reduce the occurrence or intensity of harmful algal blooms.
Hokkaidō and the Rías Baixas: two natural laboratories
The choice of the island of Hokkaidō as the destination for this research stay is based on its similarities with the Rías Baixas. Both regions support significant aquaculture and shellfish harvesting industries and depend heavily on the good ecological status of their coastal ecosystems. These shared characteristics make both territories comparable natural laboratories for studying harmful algal blooms and assessing possible nature-based solutions.
In addition to contributing to the development of her doctoral thesis, the research stay will enable the researcher to incorporate new experimental methodologies, strengthen international collaborations and generate knowledge that will be useful for the study and management of harmful algal blooms along the Galician coast. The comparison between these two coastal systems also provides an opportunity to identify common ecological processes and explore strategies that could be applied in other regions affected by this phenomenon.
“This research stay is proving to be a highly enriching experience, both scientifically and personally. I am learning new methodologies and working with a team that has extensive expertise in coastal ecology, allowing me to approach my research from different perspectives. I hope this collaboration will provide new insights for my PhD thesis and lay the foundations for future collaborations between Galicia and Japan,”says Rocío Blanca.
The results obtained will contribute to expanding current knowledge of the interactions between marine microorganisms and toxic phytoplankton, as well as the potential of macroalgal ecosystems to promote the natural regulation of harmful algal blooms, opening up new avenues for protecting coastal ecosystems and the economic activities that depend on them.
The Marine Research Centre (CIM) holds the CIGUS accreditation awarded by the Xunta de Galicia, recognising the quality and impact of its research. Its activities are co-funded by the European Union through the ERDF 2021–2027 Programme.
Source: DUVI
