VIMS Events
This calendar presented by
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
[PAST EVENT] New technologies and approaches to research and management of the New England red tide
November 21, 2014
3pm
Location
VIMS - Watermen's Hall, Watermen's Lobby1375 Greate Road
Gloucester Point, VA 23062Map this location
Presenter: Dr. Don Anderson, WHOI
Reception at 3:00 p.m. in the lobby of Watermen's Hall
Seminar from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in McHugh Auditorium
Title
New technologies and approaches to research and management of the New England red tide
Abstract
Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense, commonly called red tides have been a serious problem in the Gulf of Maine since 1972. The blooms are associated with the accumulation of potent neurotoxins in shellfish and some fish species, leading to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in human consumers--a potentially fatal poisoning syndrome. This talk will summarize more than a decade of large-scale field and modeling activities in the near-shore waters of the region, leading to a conceptual model of bloom dynamics that is consistent with cruise observations and with patterns of shellfish toxicity, and to numerical models that are being used for weekly and seasonal forecasts. The challenges and potential for an operational red tide forecasting system in the Gulf of Maine will be discussed, summarizing successes and failures, lessons learned, and plans for improved forecasts in the future using autonomous, moored and mobile sensors for cells and toxins as well as improved cyst mapping methodologies.
Biography
Dr. Anderson earned three degrees from MIT -- a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1970, and a M.S. (1975) and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1977. He joined the scientific staff at WHOI in 1978. In 1993, he was awarded the Stanley W. Watson Chair for Excellence in Oceanography, in 1999 was named a NOAA Environmental Hero, and in 2006 received the Yasumoto Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae. Anderson is the former director of WHOI's Coastal Ocean Institute, presently serves as Director of the Cooperative Institute for North Atlantic Research, and also serves as Director of the U.S. National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms. Anderson's research focus is on toxic or harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly called red tides. His research ranges from molecular and physiological studies of growth, sexuality, and toxin production to the large-scale oceanography and ecology of the blooms of these microorganisms. Along with an active field and laboratory research program, Anderson is heavily involved in national and international program development for research, monitoring, and management of red tides, marine biotoxins, and HABs. He has testified multiple times before Congressional committees, and has been actively involved in legislation and appropriations related to HABs and hypoxia. He is also an advisor to several foreign countries and international aid organizations on eutrophication, red tides, algal blooms, and HABs. Anderson is the author, co-author, or editor of over 260 papers and 14 books.
Reception at 3:00 p.m. in the lobby of Watermen's Hall
Seminar from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. in McHugh Auditorium
Title
New technologies and approaches to research and management of the New England red tide
Abstract
Blooms of the toxic dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense, commonly called red tides have been a serious problem in the Gulf of Maine since 1972. The blooms are associated with the accumulation of potent neurotoxins in shellfish and some fish species, leading to paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP) in human consumers--a potentially fatal poisoning syndrome. This talk will summarize more than a decade of large-scale field and modeling activities in the near-shore waters of the region, leading to a conceptual model of bloom dynamics that is consistent with cruise observations and with patterns of shellfish toxicity, and to numerical models that are being used for weekly and seasonal forecasts. The challenges and potential for an operational red tide forecasting system in the Gulf of Maine will be discussed, summarizing successes and failures, lessons learned, and plans for improved forecasts in the future using autonomous, moored and mobile sensors for cells and toxins as well as improved cyst mapping methodologies.
Biography
Dr. Anderson earned three degrees from MIT -- a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering in 1970, and a M.S. (1975) and Ph.D. in Civil and Environmental Engineering in 1977. He joined the scientific staff at WHOI in 1978. In 1993, he was awarded the Stanley W. Watson Chair for Excellence in Oceanography, in 1999 was named a NOAA Environmental Hero, and in 2006 received the Yasumoto Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Society for the Study of Harmful Algae. Anderson is the former director of WHOI's Coastal Ocean Institute, presently serves as Director of the Cooperative Institute for North Atlantic Research, and also serves as Director of the U.S. National Office for Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algal Blooms. Anderson's research focus is on toxic or harmful algal blooms (HABs), commonly called red tides. His research ranges from molecular and physiological studies of growth, sexuality, and toxin production to the large-scale oceanography and ecology of the blooms of these microorganisms. Along with an active field and laboratory research program, Anderson is heavily involved in national and international program development for research, monitoring, and management of red tides, marine biotoxins, and HABs. He has testified multiple times before Congressional committees, and has been actively involved in legislation and appropriations related to HABs and hypoxia. He is also an advisor to several foreign countries and international aid organizations on eutrophication, red tides, algal blooms, and HABs. Anderson is the author, co-author, or editor of over 260 papers and 14 books.
Contact
[[seitz, Rochelle Seitz]] at 804-684-7698