Coastal phytoplankton blooms expand and intensify in the 21st century

Phytoplankton blooms in coastal oceans can be beneficial to coastal fisheries production and ecosystem function, but can also cause major environmental problems(1,2)-yet detailed characterizations of bloom incidence and distribution are not available worldwide. Here we map daily marine coastal algal blooms between 2003 and 2020 using global satellite observations at 1-km spatial resolution. We found that algal blooms occurred in 126 out of the 153 coastal countries examined. Globally, the spatial extent (+13.2%) and frequency (+59.2%) of blooms increased significantly (P < 0.05) over the study period, whereas blooms weakened in tropical and subtropical areas of the Northern Hemisphere. We documented the relationship between the bloom trends and ocean circulation, and identified the stimulatory effects of recent increases in sea surface temperature. Our compilation of daily mapped coastal phytoplankton blooms provides the basis for global assessments of bloom risks and benefits, and for the formulation or evaluation of management or policy actions.

Automated summary

Using satellite observations, we found that the spatial extent and frequency of coastal algal blooms have significantly increased globally from 2003 to 2020, but weakened in tropical and subtropical areas of the Northern Hemisphere. We identified the relationship between bloom trends and ocean circulation, as well as the stimulating effects of recent increases in sea surface temperature. Our findings provide a basis for global assessments of bloom risks and benefits, and for the formulation or evaluation of management or policy actions.