Okadaic acid accumulation in macrofilter feeders subjected to natural blooms of Dinophysis acuminata

Thermaikos Gulf is a eutrophic area located in the Northwestern part of the Aegean Sea in the Eastern Mediterranean. Interspecific differences among various filter feeders in their ability to accumulate okadaic acid, were observed during natural blooms of Dinophysis acuminata in the gulf. Okadaic acid analyses by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) were performed on benthic specimens and D. acuminata cell densities and cell toxin content were estimated in water samples. Seven filter feeding species were collected in the gulf during two DSP outbreaks in May 2003 and March 2004. The various species showed a different potential to accumulate okadaic acid in their tissues. The highest concentrations were found in the mussel populations (Mytilus galloprovincialis and Modiolus barbatus), while among the non-bivalve filter feeders, ascidians were the main accumulators of okadaic acid. The rest of shellfish populations (Flexopecten proteus, Chlamys varia and Venus verrucosa) were found to contain toxins only during 2004, when D. acuminata densities were found above 10000 cells l−1. M. galloprovincialis was proved to be the most appropriate indicator for a safe warning of okadaic acid contamination in Thermaikos Gulf.