Domoic acid
Domoic acid, also called
Amnesic Shellfish Poison (ASP) is an
acid sometimes found in
algal blooms (of
phytoplankton). The acid can
bio accumulate in
marine organisms that feed on
plankton, such as
shellfish,
anchovies and sardines. In
mammals, including
humans,
it acts as a powerful
neurotoxin. In humans it can cause short term
memory loss,
brain damage
and
death in severe cases.
Although algal blooms may be pink, orange, blue, yellow, green, brown, violet, or red, depending upon the concentration of algae, the name Red tide is associated with the phenomenon of such algal blooms.