Distribution of vitamin B12, Pseudo-nitzschia and domoic acid in the Northwest Passage
Harmful Algae, vol.160, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 160
- Publication Date: 2026
- Doi Number: 10.1016/j.hal.2026.103227
- Journal Name: Harmful Algae
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO)
- Keywords: Arctic, Cobalamin, Diatom, Harmful algae, Phytoplankton
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The prevalence of Harmful Algal Blooms (HAB) is increasing worldwide. In the Arctic, the domoic acid (DA) producing diatom Pseudo-nitzschia is responsible for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning events. While laboratory studies revealed vitamin B12 auxotrophy in Pseudo-nitzschia, the link between vitamin B12 distribution, Pseudo-nitzschia abundances and DA concentration is unknown. An expedition was conducted to the Arctic, in which samples for plankton biomass, dissolved (d) and particulate (p) B12, Pseudo-nitzschia and DA were collected. Multidimensional scaling showed a separation of the stations into three main clusters, primarily driven by dB12 and pB12. dB12 was lowest in the East, ranging from 0.02 to 2.46 pmol L-1, and inversely correlated to Pseudo-nitzschia and DA. In contrast, pB12 concentrations were highest in the East ranging from 0.02-0.6 pmol L-1. The observed positive correlation of Pseudo-nitzschia with DA and pB12 suggests a demand for this micronutrient by toxigenic species. Furthermore, the high DA: Pseudo-nitzschia ratio, an indicator for the toxicity of the Pseudo-nitzschia population, correlated negatively with dB12 and pB12, suggesting that toxicity could be influenced by the availability of this vitamin. Together with the very low dB12 concentrations measured, this study highlights the potential of vitamin B12 as a limiting nutrient to artic phytoplankton populations in general and Pseudo-nitzschia in particular.