Research

HAB Research at NWFSC

Since HABs and marine toxin outbreaks are largely unpredictable, our research places a strong emphasis on developing fundamental understandings of the mechanisms of toxin production and distribution in our coastal living marine resources. In order to do this we have put together a team with experience in chemistry, oceanography, molecular biology, and fisheries.

HABs and marine biotoxins impact the whole marine food web and the human endeavors associated with living marine resources. Because of the scale of these events, we have chosen to concentrate our current efforts on two marine biotoxins that have significant effects in the west coast of North America: Domoic Acid Poisoning and Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning.

Risk managers and the public want advanced notice about toxic HAB events that can contaminate or kill marine resources. In order to responds to these concerns, NWFSC HAB research falls into four broad categories: 1) Algal Growth, 2) Methods for the detection of marine biotoxins, 3) Toxicology Studies 4) Information and data analysis of past and current HAB events.

Algal Growth

• Algal Bloom Dynamics
• Algal Growth and Nutrition Studies

Detection and Analysis of Marine Biotoxins

• ELISA Development
• Probe Development
• Validation of ELISA field kits
  

Toxicology Studies

• A Proposed Mechanism of Domoic Acid Retention in the Pacific Razor Clam (Siliqua patula)
• A molecular basis for differential susceptibility and accumulation of paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) toxins in commercial bivalves
• Effects of Algal Toxins on Early Development in Larval Fish
  

Information and Data Analysis of HAB Events

• HAB-ESDIM database
  
  
  
  
  

Overview

NWFSC HAB Research

• Algal Growth • Detection and Analysis • Toxicology Studies • Information and Data Analysis

Research Partnerships