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 × 107 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.