2 Evolution of PSP Toxicity in Shellfish from the Beagle Channel. . .
21
Fig. 2.3 PSP toxicity levels recorded in Punta Paran´ a’s mussels. Graph 1: PSP levels from
January, 2009, to May, 2011. Graph 2: Yearly toxicity levels shown as overlapping plots
increase again during that season, probably because of a new bloom of A. catenella.
However, the levels reached in the summer of 1993 were of lower magnitude than
in the previous summer.
The rate of loss varies with season and low water temperatures apparently retards
toxin loss. Furthermore, the detoxification rate is highly dependent on initial or peak
levels of toxicity (Mons et al. 1998). As it has been described for other Mytilid
species, natural detoxification processes in M. chilensis and A. ater appeared to be
mainly related to elapsed time (after the bloom) and maximum PSP concentration
acquired by the shellfish (Molinet et al. 2010).
21
Fig. 2.3 PSP toxicity levels recorded in Punta Paran´ a’s mussels. Graph 1: PSP levels from
January, 2009, to May, 2011. Graph 2: Yearly toxicity levels shown as overlapping plots
increase again during that season, probably because of a new bloom of A. catenella.
However, the levels reached in the summer of 1993 were of lower magnitude than
in the previous summer.
The rate of loss varies with season and low water temperatures apparently retards
toxin loss. Furthermore, the detoxification rate is highly dependent on initial or peak
levels of toxicity (Mons et al. 1998). As it has been described for other Mytilid
species, natural detoxification processes in M. chilensis and A. ater appeared to be
mainly related to elapsed time (after the bloom) and maximum PSP concentration
acquired by the shellfish (Molinet et al. 2010).