Post on 15-Jan-2016
transcript
Killer Algae:The use of tracking analyst to study Red Tides
Harris Muhlstein
What are red tides?
• Blooms of phytoplankton
• Water becomes discolored (redish,brown, green, etc.)
• Blooms associated with shellfish toxicity and fish kills.
• Recognized since biblical times
Karenia brevis
• Red tide dinoflagellate
• Occurs in Gulf of Mexico & SE Atlantic
• Brevatoxins: potent to fish and mammals
• Cause asthma-like symptoms when aerosolized
• NSP
Karenia brevis
•background concentrations: 1-100 cells/L
•Fish kills: 100-200 cells/mL
•Shell fish beds closed: 5 cells/mL
Data
• UTMSI established a multi-year sampling regime at 5 stations along the Texas coast
• Sampling coordinated with TPWD and The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation
• November 98 – April 01
• Bi-monthly sampling
• Dates were standardized
Bolivar Roads Pass
2000 Bloom
• Summer and Fall of 2000
• Affected the entire Gulf Coast
• 6.5 million fish kills
• Economic loss = 4 million
August 5 2000
Early August 2000
October 20th 2000
Conclusion
• Tracking analyst is limited for biological studies
• If improved, can be a valuable asset for researchers studying HABs
Big thank you to Dr. Maidment
Questions or Comments?