ADELAIDE (Lord Media): In South Australia, the toxic algae responsible for the mass death of marine life last year has been identified as the most poisonous algae recorded to date. According to research, mysterious foam appeared on South Australia’s shores in March 2025, resulting in the death of thousands of fish and health issues for surfers.
The foam spread across the extensive coastal area of Waitpinga Beach, leading to the demise of seahorses, fish, and octopuses. Experts indicated that the proliferation of this algae had severe negative impacts on South Australia’s environment, economy, and public health.
Researchers discovered that the devastation was caused by neurotoxic substances released by the microscopic algae known as Karenia cristata. A study recently published in the journal Nature Ecology & Evolution revealed that the toxic effects of Karenia cristata are more potent than any other harmful algae.
During the research, scientists conducted experiments on laboratory-grown strains of Karenia cristata, which confirmed that this extraordinary toxicity was the primary cause of last year’s mass marine fatalities.
