The Ecology of Harmful Algal Blooms
Masters of Environmental Studies Elective Fall 2009
4 graduate level credits
Wednesdays 6-10 PM, SEM-2 D2109 or LAB-II 1050
Gerardo Chin-Leo
DRAFT September 23, 2009
Microalgae account for most of the photosynthetic biomass and production in aquatic systems. Recently, coastal waters worldwide have experienced an increase in the occurrence of large concentrations (blooms) of harmful algal species. These events are now commonly referred to as HAB (harmful algal blooms). HAB or species that contain toxins can cause direct mortality of marine life. Humans can be indirectly affected through the consumption of contaminated seafood. Large blooms of non-toxic species can also have negative impacts on aquatic habitats by shading benthic plants or by interfering with the activities of other organisms. Furthermore, if these algal blooms are not grazed or diluted, their decomposition by bacteria can deplete the dissolved oxygen in the water causing the mortality of plants and animals. This program will study the environmental factors controlling the abundance and productivity of aquatic algae, the ecology of harmful algal species and the possible role of human activities in causing the increase of HAB. In addition, we will examine the efforts of scientists and government agencies to monitor HAB, and to control their impact on fisheries and public health.
The material will be presented through lectures, seminar discussions, and student research projects. There will be lab work using microscopes to study phytoplankton and a field trip to a local estuary (Budd Inlet) to collect plankton and measure water quality. This field trip will be most likely on a weekend day (tentatively Sunday, Oct 11). On Nov (15-19, Week 8 of the quarter) there will be a national conference on HAB (5th Symposia on Harmful Algae in the US) at Ocean Shores, WA. This will be an excellent opportunity for students to be exposed to the most current research on HAB. There will be a special registration fee for MES students ($30 for a 2 day pass) and transportation from Olympia will be provided. Students will be strongly encouraged to attend at least part of this meeting.
Reading will be mainly from the scientific primary literature and from government/university reports. Students should also obtain a text on Oceanography or Marine Biology with general information on phytoplankton and the marine habitat. You can check a copy from the library or purchase a used textbook (get the most recent edition). In addition, there will be two seminars to explore the interaction of science, policy and the media using the following books.
Meinesz, Alexandre. 1999. Killer Algae. The True Tale of a Biological Invasion. The University of Chicago Press. ISBN: 0-226-51922-8
Barker, Rodney. 1998. And the Waters Turned to Blood. Touchstone Book. Simon & Schuster. ISBN: 0-684-83845-1
Students will be evaluated on their participation and on the following assignments:
• Research paper (~10 pages) and oral presentation
• Presentation and written summary of articles from the primary literature00
• 2 response essays on seminar books
• Worksheets/Reports associated with labs and field trip
• Final Exam