CEE 210 Environmental Biology for EngineersSouthern Illinois University Carbondale3/8/2010Case Study: HABInstructor: L.R. Chevalier p. 1CEE 210 ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY FOR ENGINEERSCase Study: Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)Instructor: L.R. ChevalierDepartment of Civil and Environmental EngineeringSouthern Illinois University CarbondaleEnvironmental Biology for EngineersRed tide bloom of Noctiluca scintillans in New ZealandRed Tide: Photo by Miriam GodfreyEnvironmental Biology for EngineersRed tide in open oceanEnvironmental Biology for EngineersRed Tides These red colored algae blooms are referred to as red tides Some are extremely harmful◦ Algae produce toxins◦ Impact human health◦ Fish, bird and mammal mortalities◦ Bioaccumlate Some discolor the water◦ Do not release toxins◦ Impact aquatic environment through oxygen depletion More appropriate to call the toxic blooms Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs)◦ May be greenish, brown, or reddish-orange◦ Color depends on algal species, aquatic ecosystem, and concentration of the organismEnvironmental Biology for EngineersRed Tide Culprit: Noctiluca scintillansA massive “red tide” bloom of the dinoflagellate Noctiluca scintillansin the North Sea near the Skagerrak in early August 2001.Noctiluca scintillansEnvironmental Biology for EngineersNoctiluca 200-2000 mm (radius)  Considered non-toxic May cause fish kill through oxygen depletion Emits toxic levels of ammonia that may cause fish kills and irritate skin Bioluminescent that can cause the water to glow beautifully at nightCEE 210 Environmental Biology for EngineersSouthern Illinois University Carbondale3/8/2010Case Study: HABInstructor: L.R. Chevalier p. 2Environmental Biology for EngineersNoctiluca: 20 miles of southern California coastEnvironmental Biology for EngineersNoctiluca:Sea of Cortez, MexicoEnvironmental Biology for EngineersNoctiluca: Union Bay, British ColumbiaEnvironmental Biology for EngineersRed tide off Florida Coast by a Toxic AlgaeEnvironmental Biology for EngineersThe Culprit: Karenia brevis18−45 μm in size Environmental Biology for EngineersKarenia brevis Algae are vitally important to marine ecosystems Most species are not harmful Karenia brevis◦ Grows quickly◦ Makes the ocean appear red or brown◦ Often called “Red Tide”◦ This algae produces brevetoxins Powerful toxins Causes massive fish kills, bird and manatee mortality Damages fishing industry Damages coastline tourism Damages local economiesKarenia brevis bloom in Texas.CEE 210 Environmental Biology for EngineersSouthern Illinois University Carbondale3/8/2010Case Study: HABInstructor: L.R. Chevalier p. 3Environmental Biology for EngineersKarenia brevis Brevetoxins can become concentrated in the tissues of shellfish People and animals eating the shellfish suffer from neurotoxic shellfish poisoning Air surrounding red tides cause irritation to the eyes nose and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath Impacts people with existing respiratory illnessEnvironmental Biology for EngineersA freshwater Dinophysis bloom in the Italian AlpsEnvironmental Biology for EngineersThe Culprit: DinophysisSpecies in the dinoflagellatesgenus Dinophysis have been found to produce okadaic acid which can cause diarrheticshellfish poisoning (DSP). DSP is primarily observed as a generally mild gastrointestinal disorder, e.g., nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain accompanied by chills, headache, and fever. Environmental Biology for EngineersAkashiwo sanguineaAkashiwo sanguinea may form blooms, especially in summer to early fall. It is reported to kill fish and birds. Mortality may be due to clogging of shellfish gills, the production of surfactants, or to oxygen depletion when blooms decay.Ocean waves promote foaming. The foamy soap-like substance can strip the natural waterproofing in seabird feathers.Environmental Biology for EngineersAkashiwo sanguinea bloomP. CHILTON/Coastal Observation and Seabird Survey Team,. A red-throated loon, covered in foam, lies in the sand near the Klipsan beach approach on the northern end of the Long Beach Peninsula. The bird was still alive when this photo was taken.Environmental Biology for EngineersAlexandrium catanellaThe dinoflagellate Alexandrium catanella(produces saxitoxin, a highly potent neurotoxin, which, if consumed, causes paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). Ingestion of saxitoxin by humans, primarily through eating shellfish, can result in numbness, ataxia, incoherence, and in extreme cases respiratory paralysis and death.This toxin was first discovered in 1927 after a shellfish poisoning event affected over a hundred of humans in central California. Saxitoxin is now recognized as one of the most deadly algal toxins.CEE 210 Environmental Biology for EngineersSouthern Illinois University Carbondale3/8/2010Case Study: HABInstructor: L.R. Chevalier p. 4Environmental Biology for EngineersAlexandrium catanella bloom“In 2000, nine people gathered mussels in a closed area and they all got sick. Three were hospitalized for a week. They were on respirators, so paralyzed that they couldn't blink. They did recover, but if their families hadn't called 911 immediately, they might not have been so lucky.”Excerpt from 2006 article in Seattle PI “Puget Sound's red tide blamed on hot weather” by Susan Phinney.Environmental Biology for EngineersLingulodinium polyedrumThe dinoflagellate Lingulodinium polyedrum(formerly Gonyaulax ployedra) can form spectacular red colored blooms in warm coastal waters. These "red tides" occur frequently along the coast of Southern California. A large red tide occurred summer and fall of 2005, and extended from San Diego to Ventura.Lingulodinium poyledrum is also responsible for magnificent displays of phosphorescence at night.Recent research shows that this species may produce a toxin called yessotoxin. The yessotoxins have previously been included in the diarrhetic shellfish poison (DSP) group.Environmental Biology for EngineersLingulodinium polyedrum bloomAerial photograph of a dense bloom of Lingulodinium polyedrumoff southern California in the summer of 2005. The dark red discoloration of the water is why this is often called a "Red Tide." Photo taken by Eddie Kisfaludy.Environmental Biology for EngineersLingulodinium polyedrum bloomCoast of La Jolla, San Diego County. Photo: Kai SchumannEnvironmental Biology for EngineersPseudo-nitzschiaSome