First report of a massive bloom of Alexandrium minutum (Dinophyceae) in middle North Atlantic: A coastal lagoon in S. Jorge Island, Azores.

This is the first report of a bloom of the toxic marine dinoflagellate Alexandrium minutum in the Azores Archipelago (Northeastern Atlantic Ocean). In September 2013, high cell concentrations (1.3 × 10 7 cells L −1 ) of this species were recorded in Santo Cristo coastal lagoon causing an orange-brown water discoloration, death of small pelagic fish and toxification of shellfish resources ( Ruditapes decussatus ). Levels of Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning toxins in clams exceeded 30 times the regulatory limit, and were associated with the intoxication of four people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]