SEASONAL DYNAMIC OF POTENTIALLY TOXIC AND TOXIC PHYTOPLANKTON AND BIOTOXINS ON MUSSEL FARM (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) IN KAMENARI – BOKA KOTORSKA BAY

Results about toxic and potentially toxic phytoplankton species and biotoxins are given in this paper. Investigation is conducted on mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis Lamarck, 1819) farm situated in Kamenari (Tivat Bay) from January 2015 up to September 2016. In total six harmful phytoplankton taxons are identified, with clear seasonal variation in their abundance. Pseudo-nitzchia spp. were the most abundant (maximum abundace 1.1×10^5 cells/l), while Prorocentrum micans and P. cordatum reached maximum abundance up to 10³ cells/l during some seasons. Other toxic taxons had low abundance, while in some seasons were completely absent. Results about quantitative and qualitative analysis of biotoxins showed that all obtained values were below limit of detection (LOD), what implies on good quality of mussels meat on investigated farm, safe for human consumption.Integrated monitoring of harmful phytoplankton and biotoxins should be continued in order to prevent possible negative consequences caused by increased growth of harmful algae (harmful algal blooms – HABs) and biotoxins.