Articles tagged with Red Tides
A South Australian survey found high levels of eco-anxiety and distress linked to the algal bloom, with many participants reporting persistent worry and feelings of helplessness. The study highlights the need to recognize eco-anxiety as a legitimate public health concern.
Researchers developed a powerful new method to detect harmful blue-green algae in freshwater lakes using advanced mass spectrometry technology. The technique can identify toxin-producing algae before they become damaging, posing a threat to public health.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a next-day prediction model to warn and inform water managers about harmful algal blooms in the Caloosahatchee River and Estuary. The model uses computer algorithms to predict levels of chlorophyll-a, a pigment indicative of algal bloom conditions.
A new study maps the daily movement of cyanobacteria in Florida's largest freshwater lake, revealing how these harmful algal blooms form and behave. The research provides critical insights into managing the risks associated with cyanobacteria blooms.
A scientific initiative is underway to prevent harmful Prymnesium algal blooms from occurring in the Broads, which threaten fish stocks and local biodiversity. Researchers are working to identify environmental triggers and develop strategies to safeguard the waterways.
A new USF study identifies several viruses associated with Karenia brevis, the single-celled organism causing red tide. The finding marks an initial step toward exploring viruses as biocontrol agents for red tide blooms.
A study found that algal blooms increased significantly in global large lakes over the past two decades, particularly in subtropical regions. The median annual bloom frequency increased by +1.8% per year, with a stronger correlation between temperature fluctuations and bloom events.
Researchers have created custom-made adsorbent materials that can pull harmful phosphorus out of water by transforming cyanobacterial biomass into chemically modified activated carbon. The lanthanum-modified materials showed promise in removing excess phosphorus, even at high concentrations.
Researchers developed an explainable deep learning model to predict and analyze HABs in Chinese lakes and reservoirs, achieving significant improvement over conventional machine learning methods. The model identified water temperature as the most influential factor driving algal bloom dynamics.
The collaboration aims to detect red tide occurrences early and provide information to fisheries stakeholders to prevent damage to marine environments. The system will also be used for broader environmental monitoring of forests and oceans, improving accuracy through repeated validation.
Research by FAU Harbor Branch reveals that managing both phosphorus and nitrogen is crucial for tackling toxic cyanobacterial blooms in Lake Okeechobee. Human waste is identified as a major source of nutrients, with elevated nitrogen levels found in urbanized estuaries and the Kissimmee River.
Researchers studied Prorocentrum cordatum to understand its molecular processes, revealing a unique photosynthetic machinery that may help it adapt to changing light conditions. The findings could lead to improved understanding of harmful algal blooms and their role in climate change.
A new UCF study found that the 2018 Florida red tide bloom caused $2.7 billion in losses to tourism-related businesses, with low concentrations having a significant economic impact. The research highlights the importance of risk management tools for individuals and businesses affected by harmful algae blooms.
A new study finds climate change is increasing the likelihood of toxic blue-green algae blooms in US lakes, which can damage human livers and kill wild and domestic animals. Researchers used EPA data from 2,804 lakes collected between 2007 and 2017 to predict toxin spikes.
Researchers have found that water temperatures between 20-25 degrees Celsius are at the greatest risk for developing dangerous levels of microcystin, a common algae-produced toxin. Climate change is expected to increase blue-green algae populations, posing serious health hazards and economic risks.
A historic red tide event in 2020 was caused by an exceptionally dense bloom of Lingulodinium polyedra, a plankton species that can swim and outgrow its competitors, leading to harmful algal blooms. The study validated a 50-year-old hypothesis and highlighted the exceptional swimming ability of dinoflagellates.
New research suggests that rising temperatures may offset the impact of increased precipitation on nitrogen runoff, which could lead to reduced aquatic pollution. The study found that warmer temperatures reduce evaporation, allowing more nitrogen to enter waterways, while also affecting microbial life in soil and sediment.
Researchers have developed a new method to remove harmful algal blooms by coating a floating sponge in charcoal-like powder. The technique successfully destroyed over 85% of algal cells, including toxin-producing cyanobacteria, without generating unwanted products.
A recent study by Florida Atlantic University reveals that sewage is the primary cause of nitrogen surges in the Indian River Lagoon, contradicting previous findings that fertilizer use was the main contributor. The study found that water quality and harmful algal blooms worsened after five years of mandatory wet season fertilizer blac...
Researchers have developed a novel autonomous, submersible, 3D holographic microscope and imaging system to study marine particles and plankton in their natural environment. The AUTOHOLO system achieved 90% accuracy in detecting red tide blooms at varying concentrations, enabling near real-time monitoring and tracking of bloom phases.
Estuaries along the Atlantic coast and eastern Gulf of Mexico are expected to experience significant increases in nutrient loading, posing risks for harmful algal blooms and ecosystem health. The study identified regions with high adaptive capacity as having more resources to mitigate these effects.
Researchers measured phycotoxin concentrations in bull sharks caught in the Indian River Lagoon, finding multiple toxins widespread or persistent in the environment. The study highlights dietary exposure as a key mechanism of toxin transfer to bull sharks.
The US Harmful Algal Bloom Control Technology Incubator aims to advance innovative ways to control blooms impacting marine ecosystems and regional economies. The partnership between UMCES and Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium will offer funding and guidance for innovative control technology projects.
Researchers have discovered a technique to remove phosphorus from wastewater at higher temperatures, using bacteria to store the chemical. The SCELSE-developed innovation extends the temperature range of enhanced biological phosphorus removal to 35 degrees Celsius.
Researchers at FAU Harbor Branch develop an ocean model to study connectivity between the Everglades and Florida Keys via Florida Bay. The tool aims to predict changes in responses to water management, ecological restoration and climate change.
Researchers found that low oxygen areas, or dead zones, were more likely to occur when red tides began in early summer. The study linked hypoxia to red tides across the west coast of Florida, shedding light on the conditions favorable for combined events.
Researchers will assess potential effects on individuals with pre-existing conditions and measure toxin levels in blood, urine, and nasal mucosa. The study aims to understand the long-term health impacts of exposure to harmful algal blooms and develop tools for measuring concentrations of toxins in the environment.
A new study led by University of Delaware Associate Professor Kathryn Coyne found that warming temperatures contribute to an increasing number of harmful algal blooms. The study showed that changes in light conditions significantly influence the growth and impact of these algae, particularly for species like Karlodinium veneficum.
Researchers at UToledo are developing new technology for early detection and management of harmful algal blooms in Lake Erie. The project aims to improve water quality from source to tap using advanced monitoring sensors and nature-inspired biological treatment methods.
The WHOI and NOAA have released a report on the socio-economic effects of harmful algal blooms in the US, highlighting gaps in current estimates and research. The report recommends improving methods for assessing impacts and fostering greater collaboration among researchers, policymakers, and communities affected by HABs.
Researchers detected anatoxin-a, a deadly cyanotoxin, in air and water near a Massachusetts pond with algal blooms. The toxin can cause respiratory paralysis, muscular twitching, and loss of coordination at high concentrations.
Researchers found that prolonged algal blooms lead to larger fish catches, particularly for sardines and squid, in the Red Sea. The study used satellite images to analyze phytoplankton bloom timings and their effect on marine food webs.
A study analyzing satellite data found that algal blooms in the Red Sea are linked to industrial aquaculture and have increased in frequency and size over recent decades. The researchers developed an algorithm to detect these blooms and propose a real-time monitoring system to protect the marine environment.
Phosphorus-containing minerals from wind-blown dust fuel algal blooms on the Greenland Ice Sheet, darkening the surface and contributing to increased melting. The blooms, particularly in the Dark Zone, have significant implications for future ice sheet melting and sea level rise.
Climate change is increasing the frequency of highly toxic algal blooms off the US west coast, producing a neurotoxin that causes severe digestive and neurological symptoms. A new study found that extreme marine heatwaves are now 20 times more likely to occur than they would be without climate change.
Researchers at FAU and Harbor Branch Institute will investigate the short- and long-term health effects of exposure to harmful algal blooms (HABs) in Florida. The study aims to measure HAB toxins in environmental samples, human tissues, and assess potential health impacts on individuals infected with COVID-19.
Researchers at KIST created a novel powdered activated carbon with improved adsorption rates, effectively controlling algal blooms in conventional water treatment plants. The new technology enables faster adsorption of taste- and odor-causing substances and toxic algae byproducts.
Researchers at UToledo are developing new technologies using native freshwater bacteria to remove microcystin toxins from drinking water. The bacteria can destroy toxins produced during harmful algal blooms at levels exponentially above current exposure guidelines.
Researchers at WHOI will contribute to improving the nation's collective response to harmful algal blooms (HABs) through $2.5 million in funding over the coming year. The projects aim to enhance monitoring and determine socioeconomic impacts of blooms nationwide, with a focus on protecting human health, ecosystems, and local economies.
Florida Atlantic University has received a $2.2 million grant to monitor harmful algal blooms in Lake Okeechobee, which pose significant ecological and economic threats to the region. The project will develop a comprehensive sensing and information visualization package to track blooms and provide critical data for water managers.
Cyanobacteria from Lake Okeechobee released toxins such as microcystin-LR, brevetoxin, and BMAA, potentially exposing coastal residents to adverse health effects. Chronic exposure to multiple toxins is a growing concern for human and animal health.
A new analysis reveals that satellite-based detection of harmful algal blooms can provide early warning systems for lake visitors, resulting in significant socioeconomic benefits. The study found that local officials' swift action to respond to toxic cyanobacteria in Utah Lake saved $370,000 in healthcare costs and prevented illness.
Researchers aim to identify how social media influences consumer behavior during red tide events, which had a negative impact on humans and marine life. The study will analyze data from 80 different sectors and explore the role of social media in shaping economic decisions.
A new immunocapture protein phosphatase inhibition assay (IC-PPIA) method has been developed to detect microcystins and nodularin in human urine, yielding positive results from three out of 86 urine specimens. The study provides a critical step in developing clinical diagnostic tests for harmful algal bloom exposure worldwide.
Researchers found reservoirs on streams and rivers release dissolved phosphorus into water when warm lake water is ideal for algae growth. This leads to toxic algal blooms causing illness and contaminating water supplies. Strategies like adding oxygen or chemicals to reservoirs could help prevent this problem.
A global survey of large freshwater lakes found that summer algal blooms are increasing in intensity, harming aquatic life and human activities like agriculture and tourism. Climate change is likely exacerbating the problem, with warmer temperatures hindering recovery efforts in some areas.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have invented a bacteria-based application to prevent or mitigate harmful algal blooms, specifically targeting dinoflagellates responsible for red tides. The algicide, embedded in gel beads, is environmentally neutral and can be deployed in coastal waters as needed.
Researchers review environmental conditions leading to harmful algal blooms in rivers, lakes, and coastal oceans, highlighting the impact of agricultural, urban, and industrial activities on water quality and biological resources.
A new study reveals a frog protein that can detect and neutralize a poisonous compound produced by red tides and other harmful algal blooms. The protein, saxiphilin, acts as a 'toxin sponge' that sops up and sequesters the deadly microbial poison.
A new remote sensing technique can detect harmful algal blooms in the Red Sea with high accuracy, even accounting for frequent dust storms and aerosols. This approach has the potential to establish a real-time monitoring system to protect the region's vital economic and ecological resources.
A new study detects the production of neurotoxins by cyanobacteria in Lake Erie's central basin, a region previously thought to be less prone to harmful algal blooms. The research finds that specific strains of Dolichospermum and microcystis can produce toxins capable of attacking the central nervous system.
A study by Carnegie ecologists found that climate change is a key factor in increasing nitrogen runoff into US waterways, exacerbating eutrophication. The research analyzed historical trends and found that warming temperatures and precipitation patterns are directly linked to higher nitrogen levels.
A new study by the University of South Florida finds ocean circulation was the major determinant of Florida's 2018 red tide blooms. The study used ocean circulation models and autonomous underwater gliders to pinpoint the initiation zone for the blooms, which were likely carried to the coastline by a rare upwelling circulation.
Copepods release substances into oceans that trigger defences in phytoplankton, causing bioluminescence and chemical warfare. The effects can be far-reaching, leading to toxic algal blooms and impacting marine life.
A new study reveals that the red tide-causing species Karenia brevis can efficiently utilize carbon dioxide in both high- and low-CO2 environments. The algae is able to thrive equally well in disparate concentrations, making it more resilient than previously thought.
Researchers have identified bacteria in Lake Erie that can degrade microcystin, a toxic toxin linked to liver cancer and other diseases. The bacteria, including Flectobacillus major and Pseudomonas lutea, can remove up to 19 parts per billion of microcystin from water supplies.
A new Lake Erie Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health aims to study harmful algal blooms and their impact on human health. U-M researchers will lead a project to discover previously unknown toxins, with the goal of developing new medicines.
Harmful algal blooms have become a serious problem for marine life, affecting humans and wildlife. UCLA researchers created a new flow cytometer that analyzes water samples instantly, providing real-time insight into algal bloom locations and severity.
A team of researchers has identified the genetic basis for the production of domoic acid, a potent neurotoxin produced by harmful algal blooms. The study's findings suggest that changes in oceanic conditions, such as phosphate limitation and increased carbon dioxide levels, can trigger toxin production.
A new study led by Ohio State University found that algae poses a greater threat to freshwater fish vision than sediment, causing a 40% decrease in their ability to see in cloudy water. This could jeopardize the future of walleye and other fish populations if harmful algal blooms persist.