What is a Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB)?
A harmful algal bloom (HAB) can occur when one or more types of algae rapidly multiply in oceans, lakes, or rivers, often turning the water green, red, or brown. These blooms are typically triggered by a combination of factors. Although the factors are frequently unknown, they have been thought to include warming water temperatures, sunlight, and high levels of nutrients. All or some of these factors can cause these algae to grow explosively, overwhelming the surrounding environment and leading to a wide range of ecological, economic, and health problems.
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Impacts of HABs
Decades of research have shown that algal blooms are occurring more frequently, lasting longer, and are increasingly unpredictable. Some harmful algal blooms are dominated by toxin-producing species. These HAB-toxins bioaccumulate in marine organisms, having a severe impact on the food web, poisoning marine life from salmon to sea otters, and working its way into the human food supply. Additionally, many species of algae inflict mechanical damage to other organisms, clogging gills, irritating tissues, and interfering with essential biological functions. HABs typically last for a few to several days and then the algal abundance crashes, leaving behind a large amount of dead and dying algae. Bacteria break down the dead algae, and in doing so, can consume much of the oxygen in the water. This can lead to reductions in the amount of dissolved oxygen in an area, severely disrupting marine ecosystems and creating hypoxic and anoxic dead zones in bays. Lastly HABs can have numerous human health effects. If you've ever been swimming in the lake and woken up with a rash, you could have encountered a HAB. Worse yet, the toxins that accumulate in marine organisms from HABs can turn up in the seafood, posing health risks to consumers and affecting fisheries and shellfisheries alike. There are numerous reasons why HABs should matter to you, and as ocean temperatures rise, occurrences will likely increase, along with risks to humans and wildlife. |
Algal bloom at Lake Erie. July 28, 2015.
Credit: NASA Earth Observatory images by Joshua Stevens |
What Are We Doing to Help?
Our Work
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As of right now, there is no reliable way to predict an upcoming harmful algal bloom. Current monitoring methods may involve taking water samples once per week, for example, potentially missing several days of HAB occurrence in between sampling dates. In response, our lab is working towards answering the question: Can we use the molecules made by microbes as natural sensors to detect important changes in the water that lead to harmful algal blooms? To answer this question, we're using a complex combination of data driven sciences to search for potential biomarkers in the water to predict HABs before they even start. Our lab began by sampling water off the coast of Orcas Island for 22 days, 24 hours/day, every 4 hours. We collected over 1200 samples, including two pre-bloom periods. We are now using molecular and statistical approaches to discover interactions that drive bloom formation in order to build predictive panels of biomarkers. As we continue to uncover new findings, we return to Orcas every year to share our discoveries. Our ultimate goal is to develop simple, fast water tests for HABs, based on the naturally occurring molecules in the water and available as tools that anyone can use. By making early detection easier and more accessible, we hope to reduce the harmful effects of these increasingly frequent events on people, wildlife, and ecosystems. Publications: Harmful algal blooms are preceded by a predictable and quantifiable shift in the oceanic microbiome Protein signatures predict coral resilience and survival to thermal bleaching events |
The video above shows our process in monitoring the bay’s microbial ecosystem by sampling water every four hours from 100 m offshore. By isolating phytoplankton, bacteria, metabolites, and nutrients, through a series of filtration methods, we captured how microbial communities influence each other over time.
Video Credits: Tyler Born, High school student from Montlake High School Our Lab's Harmful Algal Bloom related Publications
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How to know if there's a HAB near you
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Toxic Algae and Bacteria King County
Department of Ecology Water Quality WA HAB Info in Washington State Symptoms of HAB exposure related illnesses may include skin rashes, eye and nose irritation, sore throat, cough, stomach pain, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, muscle weakness, and/or dizziness. Please check your local water quality before swimming and if you think the water may be polluted (color, smell, turbidity), avoid contact, including through your pets (HABs can be severely toxic to dogs and animals). If you think you have found a bloom or are worried about the water quality in you area, report the issue through the Department of Ecology or reach out to your local county representative. |
Harmful algae bloom. Lake Erie. July 22, 2011. Credit: NOAA.
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Red Algae Bloom in Northern California. September, 17, 2011.
Credit: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. |
More Info:
Research lab pages:
Emma Timmins-Schiffman
Rynearson Lab
Kubanek Group
Press Coverage:
The UW School of Medicine News
misPeces
knkx NPR
Boise State Public Radio NPR
Emma Timmins-Schiffman
Rynearson Lab
Kubanek Group
Press Coverage:
The UW School of Medicine News
misPeces
knkx NPR
Boise State Public Radio NPR