Event Title
Streaming Media
Presentation Abstract
The frequency and magnitude of marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) appear to be increasing worldwide, influenced by factors such as eutrophication and climate change. Biotoxins produced by harmful algae can have a negative impact on marine life including fish, mammals and seabirds. Variations in the timing, extent, duration, and impact of toxic HABs have been linked to changing environmental conditions, including extreme events such as the 2014-2016 North Pacific marine heatwave. Scientists at Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO) have been partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) Citizen Science program to collect and analyze biotoxin samples, taxonomic and environmental data from the Salish Sea. The goal of this research is to identify the biotoxins present in these waters and the environmental conditions associated with their production by harmful algae. To enable this research, new methodology has been developed to quantify multiple biotoxins in seawater and phytoplankton, including those associated with amnesic, paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in humans. We have used this innovative approach to generate spatial and temporal profiles of harmful algal biotoxins in the Salish Sea, an area that encompasses aquaculture facilities, coastal communities, and critical habitat for (endangered) marine mammals and their prey. Our results suggest that biotoxin concentrations are related to water temperature as well as the presence of associated harmful algae. This information may be used to help predict and manage the impacts of toxic algal blooms on the Salish Sea Ecosystem in a changing climate.
Session Title
Innovations and Emerging Science 1
Conference Track
SSE1: Science for the Future
Conference Name
Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2022 : Online)
Document Type
Event
SSEC Identifier
SSE-traditionals-368
Start Date
27-4-2022 9:45 AM
End Date
27-4-2022 11:15 AM
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author's written permission.
Type
Text
Language
English
Profiling marine biotoxins in the Salish Sea
The frequency and magnitude of marine harmful algal blooms (HABs) appear to be increasing worldwide, influenced by factors such as eutrophication and climate change. Biotoxins produced by harmful algae can have a negative impact on marine life including fish, mammals and seabirds. Variations in the timing, extent, duration, and impact of toxic HABs have been linked to changing environmental conditions, including extreme events such as the 2014-2016 North Pacific marine heatwave. Scientists at Fisheries and Ocean Canada (DFO) have been partnering with the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF) Citizen Science program to collect and analyze biotoxin samples, taxonomic and environmental data from the Salish Sea. The goal of this research is to identify the biotoxins present in these waters and the environmental conditions associated with their production by harmful algae. To enable this research, new methodology has been developed to quantify multiple biotoxins in seawater and phytoplankton, including those associated with amnesic, paralytic and diarrhetic shellfish poisoning in humans. We have used this innovative approach to generate spatial and temporal profiles of harmful algal biotoxins in the Salish Sea, an area that encompasses aquaculture facilities, coastal communities, and critical habitat for (endangered) marine mammals and their prey. Our results suggest that biotoxin concentrations are related to water temperature as well as the presence of associated harmful algae. This information may be used to help predict and manage the impacts of toxic algal blooms on the Salish Sea Ecosystem in a changing climate.
