Harmful Algal Blooms
  Dr. Vera Trainer 


Watershed Program
  Dr. Philip Roni
     • Ecosystem Processes
     • Landscape Ecology &
       Recovery Science
     • Restoration


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Washington coast phytoplankton bloom

The Environmental Conservation Division investigates the impacts of anthropogenic and natural perturbations (e.g., chemical contaminants and harmful algal blooms) on fishery resources, protected species, and the quality of marine habitat. Results are used regionally and nationally to determine scientifically sound approaches for conserving living marine resources, restoring habitat productivity and function, assessing the impacts of toxic substances on the health and safety of fishery resources, and responding to environmental emergencies from the release of toxic materials. The Division integrates field and laboratory studies on marine mammals, fish, and shellfish to determine quantitative relationships between toxic substances and impaired habitat function. An emerging research area is development of technology, through cooperative efforts, to reduce environmental contamination (e.g., in-situ bioremediation).

A scanning electron microscope shows two species of algae from the genus Pseudo-nitzchia. This genus has been the object of close study by the Center's Marine Biotoxins program - with good reason. P. pungens (identifiable by the slightly larger pores) produces domoic acid in insignificant quantities. But during certain 'red tides' or algal blooms, almost-identical P. multiseries (with smaller pores) can produce enough of this powerful neurotoxin to render shellfish dangerous or even lethal to eat. Each cigar-shaped organism is about 125 microns long, and the horizontal ribs or striae shown in this close-up are about 3 microns long. Enlarged to the same scale as this photograph, a human hair would be the size of a small tree.