Articles tagged with Red Tides
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.
A recent study by Ohio State University researchers found high levels of toxins in water near farm fields in rural Ohio, posing serious health risks to people, pets, and wildlife. The study highlights the need for judicious fertilizer use and measures to reduce animal waste contamination to control algal blooms.
Researchers at USC have found that the Southern California coast has some of the world's highest concentrations of domoic acid, a neurotoxin produced by microscopic algae. The study suggests that man-made sources of nutrients and environmental conditions contribute to the formation of algal blooms.
Researchers have discovered a cheap, safe, and effective method of dealing with harmful algal blooms using hydrogen peroxide. The treatment has shown promising results in controlling cyanobacteria, a major public health hazard, and could help prevent fish kills and closures of waterways.
A two-year study of North Carolina's Jordan Lake found that multiple cyanotoxins are present in the water throughout the year, albeit at very low levels. The researchers used two different measurement methods to detect these toxins and found four types: microsystin, anatoxin-a, clindrospermopsin, and β-N-methylamino-L-alanine.
Researchers found that human wastewater nitrogen from septic systems is a significant contributor to the high nitrogen concentrations in the estuary and downstream coastal reefs. The study suggests that septic-to-sewer programs can help mitigate future harmful algal blooms by removing nutrients and improving water quality.
A 46-year experiment found that reducing lake nitrogen has little impact on algal blooms, which are driven by phosphorus levels. Phosphorus removal should be the focus to combat algal blooms and their negative consequences.
Researchers use aerial drones to visualize Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) in the York River, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective water sampling. The drones provide high-resolution images that complement satellite imagery and enable researchers to identify toxic algal species.
Studies estimate algal blooms at two Ohio lakes cost Ohio homeowners $152 million in lost property value over six years. Fishing license sales also drop significantly when algae levels reach moderate health risk, causing up to $5.6 million in lost revenue and associated expenditures.
Researchers project a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in US freshwater reservoirs and lakes due to climate change. The study predicts that the biggest impact will be felt by recreation areas in the Southeast, with more rural regions also affected.
A new robotic lake-bottom laboratory is tracking the levels of toxic cyanobacteria in Lake Erie to provide advance warning to municipal drinking water managers. The goal is to prevent another water crisis like the 2014 Toledo event, where over 400,000 residents were left without safe drinking water.
Researchers used satellite data to estimate historical algal blooms in Lake Erie, doubling the available years of data. Decadal-scale cumulative phosphorus loading helps predict bloom size, suggesting a possible decade-long benefit from recent nutrient reductions.
A Scripps-led study has identified patterns to predict red tides in coastal areas, offering opportunities for an early-warning system. The research used empirical dynamic modeling and a 30-year archive of field data to identify mechanisms causing red tides.
A UCI-led study found that increasing factory and auto emissions in East China are causing harmful algal blooms, choking off vital fish populations. The study suggests that human-caused pollution is disrupting the region's ecology, with changes in nutrient levels leading to overgrowth of certain aquatic plants.
University of North Carolina researchers sequenced the genes of a harmful algae bloom, revealing new interactions between algae and bacteria that can help predict their growth. The technique opens up the possibility of forecasting blooms and taking measures to prevent them, saving millions in economic losses.
Researchers are developing an early-warning system for Pseudo-nitzschia phytoplankton, which produces a potent toxin causing amnesic shellfish poisoning. The new forecast system aims to protect human health and reduce economic disruption from algal blooms on the US Pacific coast.
Researchers found a connection between unusually warm ocean conditions and the magnitude of the toxic bloom, which resulted in the highest levels of domoic acid contamination. The study identified a single species of diatom as the dominant cause of the bloom, leading to widespread ecosystem damage.
Recent UNIST graduate, JongCheol Pyo, has been awarded a 2016 Global Ph.D. Fellowship for his innovative research on preventing severe algal blooms in water systems. His work focuses on using hyperspectral image data to detect and predict harmful algal blooms.
Climate change contributes to severe algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay through increased precipitation variability. Nitrogen-rich agricultural runoff, exacerbated by changing weather patterns, leads to toxic algae growth and hypoxia, harming humans, marine life, and fisheries.
Researchers from USF College of Marine Science and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission expect no major red tide blooms along Florida's west coast this year. Nutrient levels in the Gulf of Mexico favor non-toxic algae, suppressing red tide bloom development.
University of South Florida researchers discovered a determining factor in red tide occurrences: coastal ocean circulation on the West Florida Continental Shelf. The Gulf of Mexico Loop Current's position determines the likelihood and severity of red tides.
A new study reveals that algal blooms like 'red tides' are home to a complex war between microscopic organisms, with the dominant species changing daily. The research sheds light on the ocean's role in carbon fixation and climate change.
A new study found that the Loop Current plays a crucial role in sustaining Florida red tide blooms. The researchers discovered that when the Loop Current is in a northern position, it allows a bloom to continue under favorable conditions, but a southern position prevents it from being sustained.
Researchers sequenced the complete genome of dinoflagellate S. kawagutii, revealing surprising findings about its genetic makeup and adaptability. The study suggests that this species has evolved to cope with stress imposed by climate change and pollution, potentially holding key to understanding other dinoflagellates.
Scientists have found a strong correlation between the concentration of toxic algae Pseudo-nitzschia and the number of young right whale deaths at Peninsula Valdes. The study suggests that the algae's potent neurotoxin domoic acid may be causing non-lethal effects that affect survival.
International workshop highlights need for better forecasting of long-term trends in harmful algal blooms, which threaten wildlife and economies. Research priorities focus on understanding phytoplankton community structure and developing ecological models to prepare for future scenarios.
A new USGS guide provides 100 photos to identify harmful algal blooms in freshwater bodies. The images aid in distinguishing between toxic cyanobacteria blooms and non-toxic ones, helping communities protect themselves from toxin exposure.
USF researchers received over $1.2 million in federal grants from NOAA to develop new technologies for predicting and identifying red tide. The research aims to improve forecasting capabilities, mitigate the effects of harmful algal blooms, and protect public health and marine life in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Marine Algae and Macrobiota (NCMA) is developing a three-year training program to train the next generation of taxonomic experts in identifying harmful marine algae. This initiative, funded by NOAA, aims to rebuild expertise critical to managing HABs in US coastal regions.
Harmful algal blooms and hypoxia pose significant threats to coastal ecosystems, economies, and human health. NOAA's new grants will help communities detect, predict, and manage toxic algae and low oxygen levels using advanced monitoring technologies and robotic systems.
Toxic cyanobacteria blooms pose a growing risk to US drinking and recreational water quality, with many rivers, lakes, and reservoirs already contaminated. The issue is complex, but modern water treatment can mitigate risks, emphasizing the need for increased monitoring and regulation.
Researchers predict a severe harmful algal bloom in western Lake Erie, with expected severity index of 8.7, posing risks to swimmers, boaters, and drinking water supply. The bloom will develop from west to east and peak in September, with local weather conditions influencing its impact.
The 2015 western Lake Erie harmful algal bloom season is expected to be the most severe in recent years, with blooms peaking in September. The severity index measures 8.7, indicating a higher risk of blooms in high concentration areas and potential water quality issues.
A new study found that toxic algal blooms in reservoirs on the Klamath River can travel over 180 miles downriver and create unsafe water conditions. The blooms can accumulate to concentrations that pose health risks to people, pets, and wildlife, highlighting the need for improved monitoring and public health outreach.
A mass mortality event affected millions of purple sea urchins and tiny sea stars along a 62-mile stretch of Northern California coast. The study suggests that long-term population and ecosystem consequences are expected as these species play key roles in maintaining tide pool balance.
New England's spring and summer red tides will be similar in extent to those of the past three years, according to the 2015 Gulf of Maine red tide seasonal forecast. The forecast is part of a larger NOAA effort to deliver ecological forecasts that support human health and well-being.
A recent study documents a significant increase in harmful algal blooms in the Chesapeake Bay over the past 20 years, fueled by excessive nitrogen runoff. The findings highlight the need for continued efforts to reduce nutrient pollution and restore a healthy ecosystem in the Bay.
Researchers at Western Michigan University are working on a multi-pronged nutrient bio-remediation system to clean up algal blooms in waterways. The algae can be used as a feedstock for biofuels, while the waste is high in nutrients and carbohydrates, suitable for recycling back into farm fields as organic fertilizer.
A new study by Ohio State University reveals that low wind speeds are a key factor in amplifying Lake Erie algal blooms. The research found that consistent wind speed contributed more to HABs than sunshine or precipitation, with seasons of low winds leading to larger blooms.
Researchers found 12 diverse sources of nutrients that fuel Florida red tides, including undersea sediments, decaying fish, and atmospheric deposits. The study's findings suggest a complex interplay between natural and human-contributed nutrient sources, highlighting the need for further research to mitigate the impacts of red tide blo...
Researchers found that viruses infecting algae drive the life-and-death dynamics of massive algal blooms, with a single bloom fixing about as much carbon as an equivalent patch of rainforest. This has significant implications for climate and ocean carbon sequestration.
The NOAA and its partners predict a significant cyanobacteria bloom in western Lake Erie, expected to be smaller than the 2013 bloom. The forecast uses satellite data, analysis of nutrient flow, and independent models to classify blooms by concentration and spread across the lake's western basin.
New research reveals how red tide's chemicals disable competitor algae without killing them, affecting nutrient cycling and primary production in the ocean. Red tide's chemical cues alter large-scale ecosystem processes.
A new pilot program uses robotic instruments and computer modeling analysis to track the harmful algal bloom in the Gulf of Maine. The deployment of four Environmental Sample Processors (ESP) will provide near real-time data on toxic algae, helping decision-makers keep people safe.
A 'moderate' red tide is expected in New England this spring and summer due to toxic algae Alexandrium fundyense. The forecast is based on cyst abundance data and toxicity records, with a range of bloom scenarios possible.
Assistant Professor Hyeok Choi's research aims to develop a sensor system that can detect biological toxins wirelessly, providing real-time data for early warning systems. The system will be deployed in areas with high concentrations of harmful algal blooms, enabling water providers to take action.
A new study by North Carolina State University and NOAA found that harmful algal blooms in the Gulf of Mexico become two to seven times more toxic when phosphorus levels are low. This increased toxicity allows the algae to defend themselves against grazing zooplankton, posing a threat to human health and ecosystem.
Red tide alerts have been added to Beach Hazards Statements by NOAA, providing public warnings for moderate or high respiratory impacts and environmental threats in southwest Florida. The new service aims to broaden awareness about harmful algal blooms and their potential impacts on human health.
A warmer climate is expected to lead to varying reactions in lakes, with those without fish displaying clear water and avoiding algal blooms, while lakes with fish will see an increase in algae due to the consumption of zooplankton by fish
Researchers found that specialized bacterial populations occupy separate ecological niches during and after algal blooms, allowing them to degrade organic matter. This discovery resolves the plankton paradox by explaining how different groups of bacteria coexist in seemingly homogeneous habitats.
A moderate bloom could cause the closure of shellfish beds along an estimated 126-250 miles of coastline. The forecast is based on computer simulations modeling meteorological and oceanographic conditions that impact the size of the bloom.
Researchers discover that phytoplankton release their toxic cargo when exposed to blue light, which stimulates a process called exocytosis. This discovery provides a handle on understanding the development of huge phytoplankton blooms and affects several square miles of ocean's upper surface.
A new algae monitoring method developed by USC scientists aims to predict when and where toxic algal blooms will occur. The research focuses on the increase of harmful toxins in shellfish due to neurotoxin-producing algae.
A three-year study on the Nauset Marsh Estuary's red tide problem begins next week. The researchers will collect water samples and analyze them for concentrations of toxic algae to better understand environmental factors influencing the incidence of red tides.
Researchers have sequenced the genome of Aureococcus anophagefferens, a brown tide species that outcompetes other phytoplankton in coastal ecosystems. The genome reveals genes that enable the microalga to thrive in low-light conditions and exploit alternative nutrients.
The genome sequencing of Aureococcus anophagefferens reveals its unique advantages over other phytoplankton, including adaptations to low light conditions and toxic metal handling. The research provides insights into the genetic predisposition of this species to thrive in environmentally impacted estuaries.
New research models predict increased exposure and risk of human illness from ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes ecosystems. Harmful algal blooms and Vibrio bacteria growth are expected to rise, threatening public health and economic impacts.
Researchers discovered toxic Pseudo-nitzschia algae producing domoic acid in vast Pacific regions, contrary to the proposed approach of adding iron to reduce global warming. This finding highlights the concern that iron enrichment can promote toxic blooms in open sea environments.