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?