<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Scientists investigating South Australia's algal bloom have made a key discovery that could have major implications for the summer ahead.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>They've linked the outbreak to karenia cristata, a rare species that struggles to survive in warmer weather, raising hopes it could soon begin to vanish.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The discovery comes after eight months of collaborative research involving 20 scientists, led by Professor Shauna Murray from the University of Technology Sydney. </span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/louisville-united-states-postal/f0722233-0e0b-443c-b5f8-f3b3516f6621"><strong><span>Death toll rises to seven after US cargo plane crash</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Karenia cristata has not been previously recorded in Australian waters, with only two prior instances documented globally, in South Africa and off the coast of Canada. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It's very, very new, we did not know this species could produce brevetoxins or have such wide-scale effects as what we've seen in South Australia," Murray said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The research indicates that karenia cristata is best suited to cold conditions.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/south-australia-algal-bloom-scientists-find-culprit/dc063dba-82f3-4cf6-aba8-8e6149d9ac8c" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It enjoys more colder conditions which is a good sign if we're heading into the spring, summer months," Professor Mike Steer said. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"It may not be conducive for that species to bloom."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/finance/private-credit-sector-failing-customers-asic-investigation/20427743-0030-4d64-b8fa-8839dd7c7e0a"><strong><span>Corporate watchdog warns $200 billion Aussie industry to lift its game</span></strong></a><strong><span></span></strong></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Further investigation is underway to confirm the species' sensitivity to warmer water. </span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There are some hopeful signs that it may not be able to survive the warmer water, and we'll have to test that," Murray said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>At the same time, new testing has shown cell counts are down for a second week in Adelaide metropolitan waters, despite significant amounts of foam washing up.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Grange Jetty has gone from 1700 to zero, Glenelg Jetty remains at zero, Brighton Jetty from 280,000 to 300," Environment Minister Lucy Hood said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>In an effort to eradicate the bloom, different types of modified clay are being tested at the South Australian Research and Development Institute before it can be used in our oceans.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><em><span>This article was produced with the assistance of</span></em><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/technology/9express/16480c33-636a-461f-9c4f-d0e2522c722a"><em><span>9ExPress</span></em></a><em><span>.</span></em></div></div>