Oregon Researchers to Study Toxic Algae Blooms

Researchers will get $2.3 million over the next five years to develop better ways to monitor and respond to toxic blooms of algae off the coast of Oregon, according to news from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Toxic algal blooms are blamed for costly hits to fisheries and recreation along the Oregon coast, according to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW). In 2003, for example, a single algae bloom that released domoic acid into Oregon waters forced the closure of the razor clam fishery at Clatsop Beach, Oregon, costing the local economy $4.8 million, ODFW estimates.

"Harmful algal blooms can have a devastating effect on unique coastal ecosystems like those along the Oregon coast," said John H. Dunnigan, NOAA's assistant administrator for the National Ocean Service. "This effort will reduce the public health threat of toxic algal blooms and further NOAA efforts to understand and predict harmful algal bloom events along the Pacific coast."

Algal blooms occur when the algae population in a particular body of water starts growing rapidly, often turning the water green, yellow-brown or red. The "red tide," for example, is an algal bloom that produces a compound known as brevetoxin that can harm or kill fish, shellfish and other marine creatures. People can also be sickened by eating seafood contaminated by algal blooms. While some blooms are fueled by high levels of nutrients (usually from fertilizer-laced runoff) flowing into local waters, others have causes that have been more difficult to determine.

NOAA begins the five-year research project in Oregon by awarding $456,630 for the first year of research by Oregon State University, the University of Oregon and ODFW. Researchers will study what types of ecological triggers and ocean conditions lead to toxic blooms of algae, and try to determine how such blooms spread in Oregon's coastal waters. The project will work on ways to enhance Oregon's monitoring and response systems by including more ocean data gathered by research ships, remote sensors, radar and underwater vehicles.

The overall goal of the project is to better predict future blooms and improve shellfish monitoring programs.

NOAA's National Ocean Service has developed similar cooperative programs with agencies in Florida and Texas. Those efforts have led to the creation of an HAB (for harmful algal bloom) bulletin that keeps regional officials posted about potential outbreaks and extent of toxic blooms.

In total, NOAA this year has provided about $10 million in grant funding to colleges; universities; tribal, local and state governments; and non-profit research institutions to help study ocean waters along the coastal United States.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, "NOAA Initiates Project to Protect Coastal Oregon Communities from Harmful Algal Blooms." URL: (http://www.noaanews.noaa.gov/stories2007/20071010_oregonhab.html)