DOCSLIB.ORG

Harmful Algal Blooms (The Florida Red Tide)

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Harmful Algal Blooms (The Florida Red Tide) FLORIDA RED TIDE What’s New and What’s True Richard H. Pierce, Ph.D. Ecotoxicology and Mote Red Tide Research Team Phytoplankton Ecology; Vince Lovko, Ph.D Environmental Health; Tracy Fanara, Ph.D. Chemical & Physical Ecology; Emily Hall, Ph.D. Coral Reef Monitoring & Assessment; Eric Bartels, MS Ocean Technology; Jim Hillier, Ocean Instrumentation Sp. Mote Research Partners Mote-FWC Cooperative Red Tide Research Partnership; Consistent Base funding for Mote’s Red Tide Research, Mitigation and Control studies Mote-FWC Program Leverage for Additional Research Projects University partners USF, FGCU, FIU, UF, UNCW, Georgia Tech, Ringling, Rutgers, Private Donors & Philanthropic Foundations Topics Mote’s Primary Goals for Red Tide Research: ● Public Health Protection and Information Outreach ● Reducing adverse impacts on public health, coastal marine ecosystems and Florida’s economy. To accomplish these goals, we need to answer the questions: ● What is Red Tide? ● How is Red Tide Harmful? ● What causes Florida Red Tide Events? ● What causes Red Tide to end? ●What can we do about it? FL Red Tide is a Microscopic alga a photosynthetic dinoflagellate (Karenia brevis) causes Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) 25-35 µm HAB High Concentration of Microscopic Marine Algae That cause Harm two flagella World Wide: Karenia brevis > 2,000 species of marine algae dinoflagellate ~ 200 Species Known Harmful Karenia brevis Phytoplankton culture room Karenia brevis Why is Florida Red Tide Harmful? Produces several Neurotoxins (brevetoxins) Mode of Action: Binds to the voltage-gated sodium channel inducing Na+ ion influx, resulting in neuro-excitation from nerve membrane depolarization and spontaneous firing. Also: ● causes bronchial constriction => Asthmatic attacks ● Inhibits immune function Florida Red Tide Facts: Occurs Naturally in the Gulf; Always present in low numbers: Background concentrations: 1 to 1,000cells/Liter (Few Toxins = No Problem) High concentrations (Bloom) up to millions of cells/Liter (Many Toxins = Serious Problem) Shellfish Closure at 5,000 cells/L Florida Red Tide Public Health Effects: Aerosolized Toxins ● Inhalation: Dry, choking cough; Asthmatic bronchial constriction. ●Physical irritant: Burning eyes & nose; Toxins Seafood Contamination: NSP (Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning) Shellfish Toxins and Metabolites Food Chain Transfer & Accumulation of Toxins Karenia brevis Filter-feeding clams Carnivorous mollusks Producing Accumulate Accumulate toxins & brevetoxins brevetoxins metabolites produce metabolites Neurotoxic Shellfish Poisoning symptoms (NSP): Multiple neurological and gastrointestinal effects: ● nausea, vomiting and diarrhea; ● numbness and tingling in the lips, mouth, face, extremities ● “nerves are on fire or ants are crawling and biting all over.” ● ataxia, overall loss of coordination, and partial limb paralysis ● reversal of hot and cold sensation ● slurred speech, headache, pupil dilation, and overall fatigue. ● appearing disoriented and possibly intoxicated. ● throat tightness and chest heaviness, respiratory distress. ● Recovery usually in 3 days to a week ● Severe cases could require ventilator support Marine Mammals, Sea Turtles & birds Exposure through food and water: Dolphin eating; contaminated fish Manatees; eating contaminated seagrass Sea Turtles; food Sea Birds; food Symptoms: Immune suppression, Neurotoxic & gastrointestinal Monitoring Remote sensing for: ● Phytoplankton community ● Brevetoxins ● Water quality parameters Satellite Imagery NOAA; NASA Drone with Autonomous Underwater Hyperspectral Camera Vehicle (AUV) Red Tide Toxin Monitoring Today: Collect samples; Extract Toxins; HPLC-MS/MS Analysis Future: Aptamer (DNA) -based electrochemical sensor: Rapid assessment of brevetoxins in local areas NOAA, Giner, Inc & Mote 1. Add sample to disposable 2. React for cartridge 5 min 3. Insert cartridge into sensor Programmable Hyperspectral Seawater Scanner (PHYSS). (Support from FWRI & GCOOS) New generation, Red Tide Detection G. Kirkpatrick, J. Hillier, K. Henderson, J. Turner, J. Beclker ● Fully programmable data acquisition Fixed location, process. shallow-water version ● High resolution spectrometer, ability to identify multiple phytoplankton groups. ● Applicable to robotic deployments Future generation for deep AUV deployment Red Tide Control Can we? Should we? Mitigation = reduce/avoid adverse impacts: Toxins, Dead marine life, toxic seafood, airborne toxins, hypoxia Control = stop cell growth & toxin production, reduce nutrient availability, reduce/destroy cells & toxins Ecologically sound Economically Feasible Logistically Attainable RED TIDE MITIGATION AND CONTROL Monitoring: Prediction, Early warning Response: Preparation, Protection Chemical Control: CuSO4; Bleach, Soap, Algicides, Enzymes, Hydrogen Peroxide, Ozone Biological Control: Algal exudate, parasites, pathogens Physical Control: Clay flocculation, Fresh Water, Air Bubbles, Ozonation as On-Site Control & Restoration for Red Tide Impact R. Pierce, L.K. Dixon, V. Lovko Mote, START & FWRI & local Partners Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent that kills red tide cells, degrades neurotoxins and re-oxygenates water. ● New application based on a patented, enclosed ozone contactor used for Mote Marine Mammal Hospital tanks, no ozone Mote Patented Ozonation system used released into the ambient water for Marine Mammal Hospital ●Pilot Studies with Red Tide water from New Pass, Gulf to Sarasota Bay. Mote 25,000 gal Mesocosm for Raw water from New Pass Ozone treated Mesocosm ORP ozonation Pilot tests Mesocosm pre-ozone ORP = to 750 mv in 12 hrs 300 mv Ozonation Field Test for Restoration of Red Tide Impacted canal systems Support from Boca Grande Community (Preliminary studies; FWCC and START) First field test completed week of 8/17/18: Results in progress, looking Good! water intake to ozone contactor Mote Ozone contactor system Red tide impacted Canal Treated water back into canal Monitoring water quality in College student interns testing treated canal ozone-treated canal water .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Assessing the Potential for Range Expansion of the Red Tide Algae Karenia Brevis
    Nova Southeastern University NSUWorks All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations HCAS Student Theses and Dissertations 8-7-2020 Assessing the Potential for Range Expansion of the Red Tide Algae Karenia brevis Edward W. Young Follow this and additional works at: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcas_etd_all Part of the Marine Biology Commons Share Feedback About This Item NSUWorks Citation Edward W. Young. 2020. Assessing the Potential for Range Expansion of the Red Tide Algae Karenia brevis. Capstone. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (13) https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcas_etd_all/13. This Capstone is brought to you by the HCAS Student Theses and Dissertations at NSUWorks. It has been accepted for inclusion in All HCAS Student Capstones, Theses, and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of NSUWorks. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Capstone of Edward W. Young Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Science Marine Science Nova Southeastern University Halmos College of Arts and Sciences August 2020 Approved: Capstone Committee Major Professor: D. Abigail Renegar, Ph.D. Committee Member: Robert Smith, Ph.D. This capstone is available at NSUWorks: https://nsuworks.nova.edu/hcas_etd_all/13 Nova Southeastern Univeristy Halmos College of Arts and Sciences Assessing the Potential for Range Expansion of the Red Tide Algae Karenia brevis By Edward William Young Submitted to the Faculty of Halmos College of Arts and Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Masters of Science with a specialty in: Marine Biology Nova Southeastern University September 8th, 2020 1 Table of Contents 1.
    [Show full text]
  • Wednesday Update Marine Lab Monitoring Red Tide Around Islands
    Wednesday Update January 13, 2021 Welcome to the first 2021 edition of the Wednesday Update! We'll email the next issue on Jan. 27. By highlighting SCCF's mission to protect and care for Southwest Florida's coastal ecosystems, our updates connect you to nature. Thanks to Frances Tutt for this photo of American white pelicans (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) feeding. DO YOU HAVE WILDLIFE PHOTOS TO SHARE? Please send your photos to [email protected] to be featured in an upcoming issue. Marine Lab Monitoring Red Tide Around Islands Today's daily sampling map from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), pictured here, shows that a patchy bloom of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, persists in Southwest Florida based on sampling conducted over the past eight days. This afternoon's mid-week update reported that background to high concentrations of K. brevis were detected in 42 samples over the past week. Medium bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were observed in 32 samples collected from Lee and Collier counties, according to the FWC. As indicated by the dots on this map, background to high concentrations were recorded in Lee County in 24 samples, and medium to high concentrations in and offshore of Collier County were observed in 17 samples. Daily samples collected by SCCF's Marine Lab and Sanibel Sea School at local beaches and back bay waters have ranged from high concentrations (>1 million K. brevis cells/liter) to low (>10,000 cells/liter). "Today we counted low levels mid-island on Sanibel and a high level at the Lighthouse," said SCCF Research Scientist Rick Bartleson.
    [Show full text]
  • Subsurface Dinoflagellate Populations, Frontal Blooms and the Formation of Red Tide in the Southern Benguela Upwelling System
    MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Vol. 172: 253-264. 1998 Published October 22 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Subsurface dinoflagellate populations, frontal blooms and the formation of red tide in the southern Benguela upwelling system G. C. Pitcher*,A. J. Boyd, D. A. Horstman, B. A. Mitchell-Innes Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Private Bag X2, Rogge Bay 8012, Cape Town. South Africa ABSTRACT- The West Coast of South Africa is often subjected to problems associated with red tides which are usually attributed to blooms of migratory dinoflagellates. This study investigates the cou- pling between the physical environment and the biological behaviour and physiological adaptation of dinoflagellates in an attempt to understand bloom development, maintenance and decline. Widespread and persistent subsurface dinoflagellate populations domlnate the stratified waters of the southern Benguela during the latter part of the upwelling season. Chlorophyll concentrations as high as 50 mg m-3 are associated with the the]-mocline at approximately 20 m depth but photosynthesis in this region is restricted by low light. The subsurface population is brought to the surface in the region of the upwelling front. Here increased light levels are responsible for enhanced production, in some instances exceeding 80 mgC rn.' h ', and resulting in dense dinoflagellate concentrations in and around the uplifted thermocline. Under particular wind and current conditions these frontal bloon~sare trans- ported and accumulated inshore and red tides are formed. KEY WORDS: Dinoflagellates Subsurface populations . Frontal bloolns Red tide - Upwelling systems INTRODUCTION Pitcher 1996), or from physical damage, such as the clogging of fish gills (Grindley & Nel 1968, Brown et al.
    [Show full text]
  • A Study on Red Tide Risk and Basic Understanding of Fishermen and Residents in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran (Persian Gulf)
    Iranian Journal of Fisheries Sciences 19(1) 471-487 2020 DOI: 10.22092/ijfs.2019.119690. A study on red tide risk and basic understanding of fishermen and residents in Bandar Abbas, Hormozgan Province, Iran (Persian Gulf) Mirza Esmaeili F.1; Mortazavi M.S.2*; Arjmandi R.1; Lahijanian A.1 Received: August 2017 Accepted: January 2018 Abstract Harmful algal bloom can be regarded as a persistence environmental problem in the Persian Gulf. This region has experienced many problematic human and social issues, economic damages, and environmental problems caused by red tides. However, no coherent study has been devoted to shed light on perceptions of red tide risks in the Persian Gulf. In response to the mentioned gap, the present study aimed to investigate residents and fishermen perceptions of red tide risks in Bandar Abbas. To meet the mentioned objective, a total of 247 and 145 subjects filled out structured questionnaires in two coastal parks and Bandar Abbas Fishermen, respectively. The obtained results indicated that the demographic factors along with experience and human health issues of red tides affected subjects’ risk perception. This study also revealed that fishermens and residents intensify the risk of red tides, such as seafood consumption, occurrence of red tides and their progress towards coast. Negative media coverage, limited information, and lack of any support of fishermen by government are some of the factors affecting individuals’ reaction and concerns towards red tide. Downloaded from jifro.ir at 0:22 +0330 on Monday September
    [Show full text]
  • Derivation of Red Tide Index and Density Using Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) Data
    remote sensing Article Derivation of Red Tide Index and Density Using Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) Data Min-Sun Lee 1,2, Kyung-Ae Park 2,3,* and Fiorenza Micheli 1,4,5 1 Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA; [email protected] (M.-S.L.); [email protected] (F.M.) 2 Department of Earth Science Education, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea 3 Research Institute of Oceanography, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea 4 Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA 5 Stanford Center for Ocean Solutions, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA 93950, USA * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +82-2-880-7780 Abstract: Red tide causes significant damage to marine resources such as aquaculture and fisheries in coastal regions. Such red tide events occur globally, across latitudes and ocean ecoregions. Satellite observations can be an effective tool for tracking and investigating red tides and have great potential for informing strategies to minimize their impacts on coastal fisheries. However, previous satellite- based red tide detection algorithms have been mostly conducted over short time scales and within relatively small areas, and have shown significant differences from actual field data, highlighting a need for new, more accurate algorithms to be developed. In this study, we present the newly developed normalized red tide index (NRTI). The NRTI uses Geostationary Ocean Color Imager (GOCI) data to detect red tides by observing in situ spectral characteristics of red tides and sea water using spectroradiometer in the coastal region of Korean Peninsula during severe red tide events. The bimodality of peaks in spectral reflectance with respect to wavelengths has become the basis for developing NRTI, by multiplying the heights of both spectral peaks.
    [Show full text]
  • An Index of Red Tide Mortality on Red Grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
    An Index of Red Tide Mortality on red grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico David Chagaris and Dylan Sinnickson SEDAR61-WP-06 17 August 2018 This information is distributed solely for the purpose of pre-dissemination peer review. It does not represent and should not be construed to represent any agency determination or policy. Please cite this document as: Chagaris, David and Dylan Sinnickson. 2018. An Index of Red Tide Mortality on red grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico. SEDAR61-WP-06. SEDAR, North Charleston, SC. 16 pp. An Index of Red Tide Mortality on red grouper in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico David Chagaris and Dylan Sinnickson University of Florida, IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station and SFRC Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Program, Gainesville FL. Introduction Karenia brevis is a dinoflagellate that causes toxic red tide blooms in the Gulf of Mexico and Southeast U.S. (Steindinger 2009). In the Gulf of Mexico, red tides occur off the coast of Texas and Florida. They are believed to be caused by a sequence of physical and ecological processes that includes phytoplankton succession stage, nutrient and light availability, and upwelling transport (Walsh et al. 2006). When K. brevis cells lyse they release brevitoxins that are ingested by fish or absorbed across the gill membranes impacting the nervous and respiratory systems and causing mortality (Landsberg 2002). Severe blooms can result in large fish kills (Flaherty and Landsberg 2011; Smith 1975, 1979; Steidinger and Ingle 1972). Decomposition of dead carcasses turns the water hypoxic and releases nutrients that stimulate bloom growth (Walsh et al.
    [Show full text]
  • HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS in COASTAL WATERS: Options for Prevention, Control and Mitigation
    Science for Solutions A A Special Joint Report with the Decision Analysis Series No. 10 National Fish and Wildlife Foundation onald F. Boesch, Anderson, Rita A dra %: Shumway, . Tesf er, Terry E. February 1997 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR William M. Daley, Secretary Bruce Babbitt, Secretary The Decision Analysis Series has been established by NOAA's Coastal Ocean Program (COP) to present documents for coastal resource decision makers which contain analytical treatments of major issues or topics. The issues, topics, and principal investigators have been selected through an extensive peer review process. To learn more about the COP or the Decision Analysis Series, please write: NOAA Coastal Ocean Office 1315 East West Highway Silver Spring, MD 209 10 phone: 301-71 3-3338 fax: 30 1-7 13-4044 Cover photo: The upper portion of photo depicts a brown tide event in an inlet along the eastern end of Long Island, New York, during Summer 7986. The blue water is Block lsland Sound. Photo courtesy of L. Cosper. Science for Solutions NOAA COASTAL OCEAN PROGRAM Special Joint Report with the Decision Analysis Series No. 10 National Fish and WildlifeFoundation HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS IN COASTAL WATERS: Options for Prevention, Control and Mitigation Donald F. Boesch, Donald M. Anderson, Rita A. Horner Sandra E. Shumway, Patricia A. Tester, Terry E. Whitledge February 1997 National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Fish and Wildlife Foundation D. James Baker, Under Secretary Amos S. Eno, Executive Director Coastal Ocean Office Donald Scavia, Director This ~ublicationshould be cited as: Boesch, Donald F.
    [Show full text]
  • Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM)
    Gulf of Mexico Ecosystem-Based Fishery Management (EBFM) Road Map Implementation Plan Mandy Karnauskas Ecosystem Science Lead Southeast Fisheries Science Center Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission Spring Business Meeting New Orleans, Louisiana March 21, 2019 What is EBFM? Q: What do all of these priority ecosystem management topics have in common? A: They can’t be fully addressed without collaboration between state and federal partners U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 2 What is EBFM? Can be considered within a spectrum of approaches “We highlight the lack of consensus in the interpretation of EBFM amongst professionals in marine science…it is unnecessary for management to practice all the traits of EBFM, as some may be disparate from the ecosystem attributes or fishery goals. Instead, incorporating some ecosystemStock-based assessment considerations to fisheries managementimprovement that are context plan- specific is a more realistic and useful way for EBFM to occur in practice.” U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 3 What is EBFM? NOAA Integrated Ecosystem Assessment Program (IEA) “The analytical engine to implement ecosystem approaches” Gulf of Mexico IEA Mission Statement: Balancing the needs of nature and society through integrated science for current and future generations in the Gulf of Mexico U.S. Department of Commerce | National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | NOAA Fisheries | Page 4 Why EBFM? Single species stock assessments have been highly successful in ending overfishing Now, the challenging part: what is optimum yield? MSY as reduced by economic, social, ecological factors OY U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • The Effects of the Red Tide Producing Dinoflagellate, Karenia Brevis, And
    UNF Digital Commons UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations Student Scholarship 2018 The effects of the red tide producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and associated brevetoxins on viability and sublethal stress responses in scleractinian coral: a potential regional stressor to coral reefs David A. Reynolds University of North Florida Suggested Citation Reynolds, David A., "The effects of the red tide producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and associated brevetoxins on viability and sublethal stress responses in scleractinian coral: a potential regional stressor to coral reefs" (2018). UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 829. https://digitalcommons.unf.edu/etd/829 This Master's Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Student Scholarship at UNF Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of UNF Digital Commons. For more information, please contact Digital Projects. © 2018 All Rights Reserved The effects of the red tide producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and associated brevetoxins on viability and sublethal stress responses in scleractinian coral: a potential regional stressor to coral reefs by David Anthony Reynolds A thesis submitted to the Department of Biology in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology UNIVERSITY OF NORTH FLORIDA COLLEGE OF ARTS AND SCIENCE August, 2018 i CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL The effects of the red tide producing dinoflagellate, Karenia brevis, and associated brevetoxins on viability and sublethal stress responses in scleractinian coral: a potential regional stressor to coral reefs The thesis of David A. Reynolds is approved: Date ____________________________________ __________________ Dr. Cliff Ross Committee Chairperson ____________________________________ __________________ Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Harmful Algal Blooms (Habs) Occurring in Florida
    Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) occurring in Florida General Information Red Tide (Karenia brevis) Blue‐Green Algae What are they? In Florida, red tide is caused by a naturally There are multiple blue‐green algae species that occur in Florida with most occurring microscopic alga (a plant‐like blooms composed of the microscopic alga, Microcystis aeruginosa. Most of microorganism) called Karenia brevis or K. brevis. us know them as "pond scum." These kinds of organisms are naturally occurring in Florida's environment and are also found all over the world. These organisms cannot live in the same environment. They are uniquely adapted to salt levels in the water Where are they Red tide occurs in marine and estuary Blue‐green algae occurs mainly in freshwater environments and brackish found? environments such as the Gulf of Mexico. habitats (lakes, rivers and estuaries). What do they Red tide may discolor the water, sometimes red, Some blue‐green algae blooms can look like foam, scum, or mats on the look like? light or dark green, brown or the water may appear water surface. Algae blooms are easy to see because many types float on clear. top of the water and come in colors including green, brown, and red. The only way to know which type of cyanobacteria is present is to test a sample in a competent environmental laboratory. Who is the lead The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) is the lead agency? Commission (FWC) is the lead agency for marine agency for oversight of fresh water, including where blue‐green algae is issues including where red tide is found, its found, its ecology, and testing for the organism.
    [Show full text]
  • CDC Activities
    WHAT IS RED TIDE? Algae are vitally important to marine ecosystems, and most species of algae are not harmful. However, under certain environmental conditions, microscopic marine algae called Karenia brevis (K. brevis) grow quickly, creating blooms that can make the ocean appear red or brown. People often call the blooms “red tide.” HOW DO RED TIDES AFFECT HUMAN HEALTH? K. brevis produces powerful toxins called brevetoxins, which have killed millions of fish and other marine organisms. Red tides have damaged the fishing industry, shoreline quality, and local economies in states such as Texas and Florida. In addition to killing fish, brevetoxins can become concentrated in the tissues of shellfish that feed on K. brevis. People who eat these shellfish may suffer from neurotoxic shellfish poisoning, a food poisoning that can cause severe gastrointestinal and neurologic symptoms, such as tingling fingers or toes. The human health effects associated with eating brevetoxin-tainted shellfish are well documented. However, scientists know little about how other types of environmental exposures to brevetoxin—such as breathing the air near red tides or swimming in red tides—may affect humans. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people who swim among brevetoxins or inhale brevetoxins dispersed in the air may experience irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, as well as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Additional evidence suggests that people with existing respiratory illness (such as asthma) may experience these symptoms more severely. WHAT IS CDC DOING TO ADDRESS THESE CONCERNS? CDC is working with investigators from local, state, and federal health agencies to assess the respiratory effects of: Recreational exposure to red tide toxins dispersed in the air.
    [Show full text]
  • Ecological Impacts of the 2005 Red Tide on Artificial Reef Epibenthic Macroinvertebrate and Fish Communities in the Eastern Gulf of Mexico
    Vol. 415: 189–200, 2010 MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES Published September 29 doi: 10.3354/meps08739 Mar Ecol Prog Ser Ecological impacts of the 2005 red tide on artificial reef epibenthic macroinvertebrate and fish communities in the eastern Gulf of Mexico Jennifer M. Dupont*, Pamela Hallock, Walter C. Jaap University of South Florida College of Marine Science, 140 7th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701, USA ABSTRACT: A harmful algal bloom (red tide) and associated anoxic/hypoxic event in 2005 resulted in massive fish kills and comparable mortality of epibenthic communities in depths <25 m along the central west Florida shelf. There is a robust body of information on the etiology of red tide and human health issues; however, there is virtually no quantitative information on the effects of red tide on epibenthic macroinvertebrate and demersal fish communities. Ongoing monitoring of recruitment and succession on artificial reef structures provided a focused time series (2005 to 2007) before and after the red-tide disturbance. Radical changes in community structures of artificial reefs were observed after the red tide. Scleractinian corals, poriferans, and echinoderms were among the epibenthos most affected. Fish species richness declined by >50%, with significant reductions in the abundances of most species. Successional stages were monitored over the next 2 yr; stages tended to follow a predictable progression and revert to a pre-red tide state, corroborating previous predictions that the frequency of disturbance events in the shallow eastern Gulf of Mexico may limit the effective species pool of colonists. Substantial recovery of the benthos occurred in 2 yr, which was more rapid than predicted in previous studies.
    [Show full text]