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?