Occasionally, marine and estuarine algae grow very fast, accumulating
in dense, visible patches near the surface of the water. A small
number of species produce potent neurotoxins that can be transferred
through the food web where they effect and sometimes kill the higher
forms of life such as zooplankton, shellfish, fish, birds, marine
mammals and even humans. Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) refer to bloom
phenomenon that contain toxins or that cause negative impacts. COAST,
in partnership with NOAA's Center for Operational Products and Service
(CO-OPS), has developed the Nations first operational HAB detection
and forecasting system.
HAB
Research
Due to the deleterious effects of Harmful Algal Blooms
(HABs) throughout U.S. coasts and estuaries, it is necessary
to provide state management agencies with information
regarding the location, extent and forecasted movement
of HABs in order to target sampling and make decisions.
This project will work directly with regional HAB research
and monitoring programs to develop the capability to
accurately forecast HABs through algorithm development,
identification of new data sources, and data integration. Read
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Harmful
Algal Bloom Operational Forecasting
The purpose of this program is to develop and support
operational forecast systems for the detection and monitoring
of Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) for the areas of the US
most impacted by these events. This program includes
the technical support for the current operational program
for the eastern Gulf of Mexico, implementation of improvements
in that system, conducting a demonstration phase for
the western Gulf of Mexico, and designing implementation
and transition plans for other regions of the US, including
the Gulf of Maine, Lake Erie, central California, and
the Pacific Northwest.
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Remote
Sensing Field Operations
Satellite sensors can be used to estimate ocean color
in order to quantify the amount of living biomass ( e.g. phytoplankton),
turbidity, to identify algal blooms and track a variety
of “plumes”. The purpose of this project
is to implement the field component of the COAST ocean
color remote sensing effort in order to assure that products
for chlorophyll, turbidity, algal blooms, suspended sediments,
etc. are valid and meaningful. Read
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