Real-time Coastal Observing Systems for Marine Ecosystem Dynamics and Harmful Algal Blooms


Book Description

The proliferation of harmful phytoplankton in marine ecosystems can cause massive fish kills, contaminate seafood with toxins, impact local and regional economies and dramatically affect ecological balance. Real-time observations are essential for effective short-term operational forecasting, but observation and modelling systems are still being developed. This volume provides guidance for developing real-time and near real-time sensing systems for observing and predicting plankton dynamics, including harmful algal blooms, in coastal waters. The underlying theory is explained and current trends in research and monitoring are discussed.Topics covered include: coastal ecosystems and dynamics of harmful algal blooms; theory and practical applications of in situ and remotely sensed optical detection of microalgal distributions and composition; theory and practical applications of in situ biological and chemical sensors for targeted species and toxin detection; integrated observing systems and platforms for detection; diagnostic and predictive modelling of ecosystems and harmful algal blooms, including data assimilation techniques; observational needs for the public and government; and future directions for research and operations.




Harmful Algal Blooms


Book Description

Harmful Algal Blooms: A Compendium Desk Reference erläutert die Grundlagen der schädlichen Algenblüte (HAB) und bietet die notwendigen technischen Informationen, wenn es um unerwartete oder unbekannte schädliche Ereignisse in Zusammenhang mit Algen geht. Dieses Fachbuch behandelt die Gründe für die schädliche Algenblüte, erfolgreiche Management- und Monitoring-Programme, Kontroll-, Präventions- und Minderungsstrategien, die wirtschaftlichen Folgen, Gesundheitsrisiken sowie die Folgen für die Nahrungskette und Ökosysteme. Darüber hinaus bietet es ausführliche Informationen zu den häufigsten HAB-Arten. Harmful Algal Blooms: A Compendium Desk Reference ist ein unschätzbares Referenzwerk für Manager, Einsteiger in das Fachgebiet, Praktiker mit eingeschränkten Zugang zu wissenschaftlicher Literatur und alle, die schnell Zugriff auf Informationen benötigen, insbesondere vor dem Hintergrund neuartiger oder unerwarteter HAB-Ereignisse. Die drei Herausgeber gehören zu den weltweit führenden Forschern auf dem Fachgebiet. Führende Experten haben ebenfalls zu diesem Fachbuch beigetragen, das sich zu einem wichtigen Referenzwerk des Fachgebiets entwickeln wird, zumal das Thema immer mehr an Bedeutung gewinnt.




Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms: State of the Science and Research Needs


Book Description

With the ever-increasing incidence of harmful cyanobacterial algal blooms, this monograph has added urgency and will be essential reading for all sorts of researchers, from neuroscientists to cancer research specialists. The volume contains the proceedings of the 2005 International Symposium on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms, and has been edited by H. Kenneth Hudnell, of the US Environmental Protection Agency. It contains much of the most recent research into the subject.




Marine Biotoxins


Book Description

This paper provides an extensive review of different aspects of five shellfish-poisoning syndromes (paralytic, diarrhoeic, amnesic, neurologic and azapiracid), as well as one fish-poisoning syndrome (ciguatera fish poisoning). It discusses in detail the causative toxins produced by marine organisms, chemical structures and analytical methods, habitat and occurrence of the toxin-producing organisms, case studies and existing regulations. Based on this analysis, risk assessments are carried out for each of the toxins, and recommendations are elaborated to improve the management of these risks in order to reduce the harmful effects of these toxins on public health. Contents Chapter 1: Introduction; Chapter 2: Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of PSP toxins, Prevention of PSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of PSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 3: Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of DSP toxins, Prevention of DSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of DSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 4: Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of ASP toxins, Prevention of ASP toxins, Prevention of ASP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of ASP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 5: Neurologic Shellfish Poisoning (NSP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of NSP toxins, Prevention of NSP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of NSP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 6: Azaspiracid Shellfish Poisoning (AZP); Chemical structures and properties, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s) and habitat, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of AZP toxins, Prevention of AZP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of AZP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 7: Ciguatera Fish Poisoning (CFP); Chemical structures and properties of ciguatoxins, Methods of analysis, Source organism(s), habitat and distribution, Occurrence and accumulation in seafood, Toxicity of CFP toxins, Prevention of CFP intoxication, Cases and outbreaks of CFP, Regulations and monitoring; Chapter 8: Risk Assessment; Risk assessment for paralytic shellfish poisoning (PS), Risk assessment for diarrhoeic shellfish poisoning (DSP), Risk assessment for Amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP), Risk assessment for neurologic shellfish poisoning (NSP), Risk assessment for azaspiracid shellfish poisoning (AZP), Risk assessment for ciguatera fish poisoning (CFP); Chapter 9: Conclusions and Recommendations; Conclusions, Recommendations.




Monitoring of Harmful Algal Blooms


Book Description

Monitoring of Harmful Algae Blooms is a timely guide to the research techniques in use to monitor visible algae blooms and through remote sensing, including infrared techniques, predict them through mathematical modeling. Drawing on current and future satellite data, the book presents visible perspectives on a more efficient HAB monitoring system for the future. It also emphasizes practical applications, impacting on marine ecology, national economy, health, food and safety and quality assurance.




Ecology of Harmful Algae


Book Description

Harmful algal can cause a variety of deleterious effects, including the poisoning of fish and shellfish, habitat disruptions for many organisms, water discoloration, beach fouling, and even toxic effects for humans. In this volume, international experts provide an in-depth analysis of harmful algae topics and offer a comprehensive synthesis of the latest research in the field.




Ecosystems of California


Book Description

This long-anticipated reference and sourcebook for CaliforniaÕs remarkable ecological abundance provides an integrated assessment of each major ecosystem typeÑits distribution, structure, function, and management. A comprehensive synthesis of our knowledge about this biologically diverse state, Ecosystems of California covers the state from oceans to mountaintops using multiple lenses: past and present, flora and fauna, aquatic and terrestrial, natural and managed. Each chapter evaluates natural processes for a specific ecosystem, describes drivers of change, and discusses how that ecosystem may be altered in the future. This book also explores the drivers of CaliforniaÕs ecological patterns and the history of the stateÕs various ecosystems, outlining how the challenges of climate change and invasive species and opportunities for regulation and stewardship could potentially affect the stateÕs ecosystems. The text explicitly incorporates both human impacts and conservation and restoration efforts and shows how ecosystems support human well-being. Edited by two esteemed ecosystem ecologists and with overviews by leading experts on each ecosystem, this definitive work will be indispensable for natural resource management and conservation professionals as well as for undergraduate or graduate students of CaliforniaÕs environment and curious naturalists.




Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health in the United States


Book Description

As global climate change proliferates, so too do the health risks associated with the changing world around us. Called for in the President’s Climate Action Plan and put together by experts from eight different Federal agencies, The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health: A Scientific Assessment is a comprehensive report on these evolving health risks, including: Temperature-related death and illness Air quality deterioration Impacts of extreme events on human health Vector-borne diseases Climate impacts on water-related Illness Food safety, nutrition, and distribution Mental health and well-being This report summarizes scientific data in a concise and accessible fashion for the general public, providing executive summaries, key takeaways, and full-color diagrams and charts. Learn what health risks face you and your family as a result of global climate change and start preparing now with The Impacts of Climate Change on Human Health.




Freshwater Algae of North America


Book Description

Freshwater Algae of North America: Ecology and Classification, Second Edition is an authoritative and practical treatise on the classification, biodiversity, and ecology of all known genera of freshwater algae from North America. The book provides essential taxonomic and ecological information about one of the most diverse and ubiquitous groups of organisms on earth. This single volume brings together experts on all the groups of algae that occur in fresh waters (also soils, snow, and extreme inland environments). In the decade since the first edition, there has been an explosion of new information on the classification, ecology, and biogeography of many groups of algae, with the use of molecular techniques and renewed interest in biological diversity. Accordingly, this new edition covers updated classification information of most algal groups and the reassignment of many genera and species, as well as new research on harmful algal blooms. - Extensive and complete - Describes every genus of freshwater algae known from North America, with an analytical dichotomous key, descriptions of diagnostic features, and at least one image of every genus. - Full-color images throughout provide superb visual examples of freshwater algae - Updated Environmental Issues and Classifications, including new information on harmful algal blooms (HAB) - Fully revised introductory chapters, including new topics on biodiversity, and taste and odor problems - Updated to reflect the rapid advances in algal classification and taxonomy due to the widespread use of DNA technologies