Environmental Sample Processor Monitoring of Harmful Algae and Bacterial Pathogens at Aquaculture Sites in Puget Sound
Presentation Abstract
Current methods for detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species and bacteria that contaminate shellfish or cause fish kills are time consuming and labor intensive. Shellfish closures often occur after harvest or are prompted by human illness reports, all reactive management decisions. The Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) offers timely, quantitative, in-situ detection capabilities by filtering water samples and analyzing them onboard to detect specific HAB and bacterial species using DNA and RNA-based technologies. In summer 2013, four ESPs were deployed for ~60 days total at a tribal shellfish and finfish hatchery in Lummi Bay and a commercial shellfish farm in Samish Bay. The main objective was to assess ESP-enabled detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species and pathogens in support of proactive fisheries management efforts. The devices were configured to sample daily and detect Heterosigma akashiwo, Alexandrium spp., and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (HAB organisms) at both locations, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (bacterial pathogen) along with two microbial source-tracking indicators in Samish Bay. Validation samples were taken periodically to confirm ESP data. Biomass samples were archived daily for subsequent nucleic acid extraction and community composition profiling using molecular bar coding methods. The fish-killing algae, H. akashiwo, was intermittently detected at the Lummi Bay site at low densities confirming the ESP’s ability to detect HAB species at low cell densities before they are able to contaminate or harm shellfish and finfish and threaten public health or economic interests. This ability makes the ESP a useful tool for early warning of HAB events.
Session Title
Session S-09A: Harmful Algal Blooms, Climate, Shellfish, and Public Health - Emerging Issues in a Changing World
Conference Track
Harmful Algal Blooms and Shellfish
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2014 : Seattle, Wash.)
Document Type
Event
Start Date
2-5-2014 10:30 AM
End Date
2-5-2014 12:00 PM
Location
Room 615-616-617
Genre/Form
conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)
Contributing Repository
Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Subjects – Topical (LCSH)
Algal blooms--Toxicology--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Algal blooms--Risk assessment--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound; Aquaculture stations--Monitoring--Washington (State)--Puget Sound
Geographic Coverage
Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.); Puget Sound (Wash.)
Rights
This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.
Type
Text
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Environmental Sample Processor Monitoring of Harmful Algae and Bacterial Pathogens at Aquaculture Sites in Puget Sound
Room 615-616-617
Current methods for detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species and bacteria that contaminate shellfish or cause fish kills are time consuming and labor intensive. Shellfish closures often occur after harvest or are prompted by human illness reports, all reactive management decisions. The Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) offers timely, quantitative, in-situ detection capabilities by filtering water samples and analyzing them onboard to detect specific HAB and bacterial species using DNA and RNA-based technologies. In summer 2013, four ESPs were deployed for ~60 days total at a tribal shellfish and finfish hatchery in Lummi Bay and a commercial shellfish farm in Samish Bay. The main objective was to assess ESP-enabled detection of harmful algal bloom (HAB) species and pathogens in support of proactive fisheries management efforts. The devices were configured to sample daily and detect Heterosigma akashiwo, Alexandrium spp., and Pseudo-nitzschia spp. (HAB organisms) at both locations, and Vibrio parahaemolyticus (bacterial pathogen) along with two microbial source-tracking indicators in Samish Bay. Validation samples were taken periodically to confirm ESP data. Biomass samples were archived daily for subsequent nucleic acid extraction and community composition profiling using molecular bar coding methods. The fish-killing algae, H. akashiwo, was intermittently detected at the Lummi Bay site at low densities confirming the ESP’s ability to detect HAB species at low cell densities before they are able to contaminate or harm shellfish and finfish and threaten public health or economic interests. This ability makes the ESP a useful tool for early warning of HAB events.
