Karenia Brevis Hot Spots in the West Florida Shelf and Their Associated Socio-economic Implications

Karenia Brevis Hot Spots in the West Florida Shelf and Their Associated Socio-economic Implications PDF Author: Diana A Moanga
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Harmful algal blooms are almost an annual occurrence on the West Florida Shelf. They are caused by the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis). Intense bloom events result in significant environmental, economic, and human-health impacts associated with the release of potent natural toxins, known as brevotoxins. If inhaled or ingested they can produce substantial adverse health effects. In order to mitigate and minimize the vast array of impacts associated with K. brevis blooms, an overarching interdisciplinary framework is needed. A critical factor in understanding K. brevis dynamics requires mapping and monitoring bloom development and transport, and identifying areas of localized bloom maxima, also referred to as bloom hot spots. To date, no studies have identified the spatial location and extent of clusters of statistically significant hot spots in Florida coastal waters. Few existing studies provide any confidence level when identifying areas characterized as hot spots. The goals of this research was to accurately identify K. brevis hot spot areas during different bloom periods, and explore potential correlations between school absenteeism rates and the distance from toxic bloom hot spots. Additionally, a coastal vulnerability index was developed in an attempt to assess the likelihood that some regions will experience greater health impacts from aerosolized brevotoxin exposure, compared to others. This was done through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). The GIS Hot Spot Analysis function identified areas of significant clusters of K. brevis, while spatial interpolation methods illustrated a visual display of the extent and intensity of recurring coastal blooms.

Karenia Brevis Hot Spots in the West Florida Shelf and Their Associated Socio-economic Implications

Karenia Brevis Hot Spots in the West Florida Shelf and Their Associated Socio-economic Implications PDF Author: Diana A Moanga
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
Harmful algal blooms are almost an annual occurrence on the West Florida Shelf. They are caused by the toxic dinoflagellate Karenia brevis (K. brevis). Intense bloom events result in significant environmental, economic, and human-health impacts associated with the release of potent natural toxins, known as brevotoxins. If inhaled or ingested they can produce substantial adverse health effects. In order to mitigate and minimize the vast array of impacts associated with K. brevis blooms, an overarching interdisciplinary framework is needed. A critical factor in understanding K. brevis dynamics requires mapping and monitoring bloom development and transport, and identifying areas of localized bloom maxima, also referred to as bloom hot spots. To date, no studies have identified the spatial location and extent of clusters of statistically significant hot spots in Florida coastal waters. Few existing studies provide any confidence level when identifying areas characterized as hot spots. The goals of this research was to accurately identify K. brevis hot spot areas during different bloom periods, and explore potential correlations between school absenteeism rates and the distance from toxic bloom hot spots. Additionally, a coastal vulnerability index was developed in an attempt to assess the likelihood that some regions will experience greater health impacts from aerosolized brevotoxin exposure, compared to others. This was done through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS). The GIS Hot Spot Analysis function identified areas of significant clusters of K. brevis, while spatial interpolation methods illustrated a visual display of the extent and intensity of recurring coastal blooms.

Seasonal and Spatial Trends of Karenia Brevis Blooms and Associated Parameters Along the 10-meter Isobath of the West Florida Shelf

Seasonal and Spatial Trends of Karenia Brevis Blooms and Associated Parameters Along the 10-meter Isobath of the West Florida Shelf PDF Author: Elizabeth Singh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
ABSTRACT: Karenia brevis is a toxic marine dinoflagellate species that blooms almost every year in the Gulf of Mexico. These blooms have had devastating effects on local economies, as well as on the fauna of the area. The ECOHAB:Florida project was founded to study the population dynamics and trophic impacts of K. brevis. The project included a series of monthly hydrographic offshore research cruises, as well as monthly surveys of a transect along the 10-meter isobath of the West Florida Shelf. This study focused on data from the alongshore transect over a three-year period (1999-2001). Physical parameters (temperature, salinity, and density) and chemical parameters (particulate carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus; dissolved inorganic nitrogen and phosphorus) of the West Florida Shelf were analyzed. The amount of chlorophll a and the location and amount of K. brevis cells present were also examined.

Ecology of Harmful Algae

Ecology of Harmful Algae PDF Author: E. Granéli
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN: 9783540740094
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
Harmful algal can cause a variety of deleterious effects, including the poisoning of fish and shellfish, habitat disruptions for many organisms, water discoloration, beach fouling, and even toxic effects for humans. In this volume, international experts provide an in-depth analysis of harmful algae topics and offer a comprehensive synthesis of the latest research in the field.

Toxic Dinoflagellate Blooms

Toxic Dinoflagellate Blooms PDF Author: Dennis L. Taylor
Publisher: North-Holland
ISBN:
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 536

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Book Description


Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States

Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States PDF Author: US Global Change Research Program
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1510726217
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 999

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Book Description
As global climate change proliferates, so too do the health risks associated with the changing world around us. Called for in the President’s Climate Action Plan and put together by experts from eight different Federal agencies, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health: A Scientific Assessment is a comprehensive report on these evolving health risks, including: Temperature-related death and illness Air quality deterioration Impacts of extreme events on human health Vector-borne diseases Climate impacts on water-related Illness Food safety, nutrition, and distribution Mental health and well-being This report summarizes scientific data in a concise and accessible fashion for the general public, providing executive summaries, key takeaways, and full-color diagrams and charts. Learn what health risks face you and your family as a result of global climate change and start preparing now with The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health.

Marine Algal Bloom: Characteristics, Causes and Climate Change Impacts

Marine Algal Bloom: Characteristics, Causes and Climate Change Impacts PDF Author: Santosh Kumar Sarkar
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 9811082618
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 182

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Book Description
In the marine environment, single-celled, microscopic, plant-like organisms naturally occur in the well-lit surface layer of any body of water. These organisms, referred to as phytoplankton or microalgae, form the base of the food web upon which nearly all other marine organisms depend. Algal bloom is a rapid increase in or accumulation of the population of about 300 species of algae due to excess nutrients (eutrophication), and is of major global interest as it causes reduction in species diversity, abrupt changes in water quality, and discoloration of the water (green, yellow, brown or red) depending on the species of algae and the type of pigments they contain. Dying blooms can also be an environmental concern as when the cells sink and decay, bacteria break down the organic material, which in turn strips oxygen from the water. This microbial oxygen demand at times leads to very low oxygen levels in the bottom waters, harming aquatic life. Documentation of this sporadic high abundance of algae, together with the significant species richness of the diatoms, requires comprehensive studies in the Sundarban coastal environment, which is facing severe degradation due to natural & anthropogenic stressors. In addition, a better understanding of the effects of algal blooms on seafood quality, the complex biological, chemical and physical interactions and subsequent effects on trophodynamics is needed to develop strategies for effective coastal zone management. The book discusses the occurrence of harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by the dinoflagellates of the genus Alexandrium and Karenia, or diatoms of the genus Pseudo-nitzschia, which have large and varied impacts on marine ecosystems (such as large-scale marine mortality events that have been associated with various types of shellfish poisonings) depending on the species involved, the environment where they are found, and the mechanism by which they exert negative effects. HABs represent a major environmental problem in all regions of the U.S., and their occurrence is on the rise due to increased nutrient pollution. HABs have severe impacts on human health, aquatic ecosystems, and the economy. Such blooms, known colloquially as red tides due to their red or brown hues, are increasing in frequency and magnitude worldwide as a result of changes in oceanic climate, increased coastal eutrophication and enhanced long-distance dispersal in ballast water. As such, the book offers an in-depth account of the complex biological, chemical and physical interactions of the algal blooms (both innocuous and harmful ones). It also discusses the highly topical issue of the impact of global climate change on the frequency and severity of HABs in the context of alterations in temperature, stratification, light and ocean acidification. Focusing on both basic and applied limnology, this book is a reliable and up-to-date reference resource for students, teachers and researchers engaged in the field of coastal research/management at regional and global scales.

The Marine Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico

The Marine Mammals of the Gulf of Mexico PDF Author: Bernd G. Würsig
Publisher: W. L. Moody JR. Natural Histor
ISBN:
Category : Nature
Languages : en
Pages : 312

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Book Description
Given in honor of District Governor Hugh Summers and Mrs. Ahnise Summers by the Rotary Club of Aggieland with matching support from the Sara and John H. Lindsey '44 Fund, Texas A & M University Press, 2004.

Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms

Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms PDF Author: Patricia M. Glibert
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 3319700693
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 460

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Book Description
Harmful algal blooms (HABs) - blooms that cause fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, or cause human or ecological health impacts and harm to local economies - are occurring more often, in more places and lasting longer than in past decades. This expansion is primarily the result of human activities, through increased nutrient inputs and various aspects of climate change. The Global Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (GEOHAB) programme promoted international collaboration to understand HAB population dynamics in various oceanographic regimes and to improve the prediction of HABs. This volume introduces readers to the overarching framework of the GEOHAB programme, factors contributing to the global expansion of harmful algal blooms, the complexities of HABs in different habitats, and the forward-looking issues to be tackled by the next generation of GEOHAB, GlobalHAB. The programme brought together an international team of contributing scientists and ecosystem managers, and its outcomes will greatly benefit the international research community.

Climate change: Unpacking the burden on food safety

Climate change: Unpacking the burden on food safety PDF Author: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Publisher: Food & Agriculture Org.
ISBN: 9251322937
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 176

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Book Description
Climate change is causing unprecedented damage to our ecosystem. Increasing temperatures, ocean warming and acidification, severe droughts, wildfires, altered precipitation patterns, melting glaciers, rising sea levels and amplification of extreme weather events have direct implications for our food systems. While the impacts of such environmental factors on food security are well known, the effects on food safety receive less attention. The purpose of Climate change: Unpacking the burden on food safety is to identify and attempt to quantify some current and anticipated food safety issues that are associated with climate change. The food safety hazards considered in the publication are foodborne pathogens and parasites, harmful algal blooms, pesticides, mycotoxins and heavy metals with emphasis on methylmercury. There is also, a dedicated section on the benefits of forward-looking approaches such as horizon scanning and foresight, which will not only aid in anticipating future challenges in a shifting global food safety landscape, but also help build resilient food systems that can be continually updated as more knowledge is assimilated. By building a more widespread and better understanding of the consequences climate change has on food safety, it is hoped that this document will aid in fostering stronger international cooperation in making our food safer by reducing the global burden of these concerns.

Harmful Algal Blooms

Harmful Algal Blooms PDF Author: Sandra E. Shumway
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118994655
Category : Science
Languages : de
Pages : 696

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Book Description
Harmful Algal Blooms: A Compendium Desk Reference erläutert die Grundlagen der schädlichen Algenblüte (HAB) und bietet die notwendigen technischen Informationen, wenn es um unerwartete oder unbekannte schädliche Ereignisse in Zusammenhang mit Algen geht. Dieses Fachbuch behandelt die Gründe für die schädliche Algenblüte, erfolgreiche Management- und Monitoring-Programme, Kontroll-, Präventions- und Minderungsstrategien, die wirtschaftlichen Folgen, Gesundheitsrisiken sowie die Folgen für die Nahrungskette und Ökosysteme. Darüber hinaus bietet es ausführliche Informationen zu den häufigsten HAB-Arten. Harmful Algal Blooms: A Compendium Desk Reference ist ein unschätzbares Referenzwerk für Manager, Einsteiger in das Fachgebiet, Praktiker mit eingeschränkten Zugang zu wissenschaftlicher Literatur und alle, die schnell Zugriff auf Informationen benötigen, insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund neuartiger oder unerwarteter HAB-Ereignisse. Die drei Herausgeber gehören zu den weltweit führenden Forschern auf dem Fachgebiet. Führende Experten haben ebenfalls zu diesem Fachbuch beigetragen, das sich zu einem wichtigen Referenzwerk des Fachgebiets entwickeln wird, zumal das Thema immer mehr an Bedeutung gewinnt.