By Noelle Lopez
Algae, in normal levels, provide the necessary ecosystem nutrients and oxygen for marine organisms and humans.
There are some species of algae, however, that accumulate in large quantities and produce toxins. These toxins are detrimental biologically to human and endangered species health and economically to local fisheries and tourism.
Initiatives like the US Integrated Ocean Observing System and Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System Regional Association (GCOOS-RA) work with local institutions to monitor harmful algal blooms.
Although there are methods of observing algae, the inconsistency in growth patterns makes it impossible to tackle the issue without collaborative effort.
Imaging Flow CytoBot
Through the use of a technology known as the Imaging Flow CytoBot, hosted by Texas A&M University, the poisoning of shellfish by the algae Dinophysis was prevented.
The instrument uses real-time high-resolution video and a flow cytometer to capture images of harmful plankton species.
More specifically, this technology helps prevent the spread of toxins to humans by closing oyster farms that could be affected by the poisons. This is an especially important public health tool that provides coastal communities with the time needed to protect wildlife and humans.
Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System (HABIOS) plan
The vision of the Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System (HABIOS) plan is to “establish a sustained observing system as part of the U.S. IOOS (Integrated Ocean Observing System) that will facilitate and enhance efforts to monitor, manage, and reduce detrimental effects of harmful algal blooms (HABs) on human health and living marine resources and to mitigate impacts of HABs on coastal communities” (Nowlin, 2012).
The goal of the plan is to provide information spatially and temporally to “manage and mitigate the environmental and public health impacts of HABs.”
Implementation steps for the Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System (HABIOS) plan
These HABIOS plan will likely be accomplished in six implementation steps.
First, the monitoring stations need to increase collectivity so information is relayed timely and reliably. These observations would be collected with remote sensing and integrated into models spatially and statistically.
Second, the data must be sorted in order of importance and the performance of each station must be evaluated.
Third, the observations need to be linked to public health and living marine resources. This step creates the importance and urgency of management and mitigation of algal blooms.
Fourth, operational technologies need to be improved to better tackle the present issue of HABs.
Fifth, the collected information needs to be relayed publically so coastal communities can take necessary precautions.
Sixth, plans need to be integrated into daily life and prevention protocols.
Due to the economic impacts of HABs, the initiatives of HABIOS are constrained financially.
Once the Gulf of Mexico has control of the algal blooms close to the coast, the area can be opened up to economic stimulus again. Until then, these initiatives need time and capital to remain a viable solution.
References
Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System-Regional Association (GCOOS-RA). “New plan lays framework for Gulf-wide observing and warning system for red tides.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 3 December 2015. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/12/151203112932.htm>.
Nowlin, Worth. “Harmful Algal Bloom Integrated Observing System (HABIOS) Plan.” Gulf of Mexico Coastal Ocean Observing System (2008, Revised 2015). Retrieved from http://gcoos.tamu.edu/documents/HABIOSPlan-Sept2015.pdf