Scientists discover genetic basis for how harmful algal blooms become toxic. (2018, September 27). Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://phys.org/news/2018-09-scientists-genetic-basis-algal-blooms.html

Students at UC San Diego and scientists at the J. Craig Venter Institute found a cluster of genes associated with the production of domoic acid in the species Pseudo-Nitzschia. These genes contain the biological instructions for producing the toxin and thus can be used to find out what oceanic conditions turn the production on or off. The scientists found that phosphate limitation and an increased level of carbon dioxide causes these phytoplankton to release domoic acids that can then be harmful to the rest of the ecosystem. The scientists plan to use this research to assist in predicting the toxicity of algal blooms.

This is an important breakthrough in the study of Pseudo-Nitzschia since we now know how their toxin works and what we can do to prevent it. The hard part is figuring out how to turn the production gene off for so many algae. It will be almost impossible to force evolution through genetic mutation when there are already so many that are still emitting the toxins. Even then, knowing the toxicity level will assist the public in knowing whether or not it is safe to enter water that has a algal bloom in it which will be immensely helpful for people who do not know how to tell.

Rosenbaum, L. (2018, October 03). As algae blooms increase, scientists seek better ways to predict these toxic tides. Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://www.sciencenews.org/article/forecasting-toxic-algae-blooms

The amount of algae blooms present across the nation are beginning to increase. To help prevent or at least prepare for this scientists are looking for ways to predict the blooms and at least be able to warn people that are going to the blooms to stay away from them. In California the amount of the algae Pseudo-Nitzschia increases dramatically during warm-water months. Some species secrete an acid that can cause short-term memory loss, brain damage, or death in humans if ingested. Marine mammals are also being affected by this neurological attack and people have been attempting to rescue them from harm.

The algae are toxic and are heavily affecting the ecosystem, especially for the Native American tribes that live near the area. They harvest the shellfish, but if the shellfish are amnesiacs or brain damaged they are not ideal to consume for a human. This effect that the algae are having on the ecosystem is very important to deal with. If it is not dealt with soon the Natives could be driven out of their home and we could lose a valuable marine ecosystem that stems from that area. Marine mammals must also be protected in order to prevent any further damage to them from the algal blooms.

Southern California’s coast emerges as a toxic algae hot spot. (2018, August 23). Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://news.usc.edu/147515/southern-californias-coast-emerges-as-a-toxic-algae-hot-spot/

Research from USC scientists has indicated that the Southern California coast holds some of the world’s highest concentrations of toxic algae that is dangerous to wildlife and people who eat seafood. The conditions become worse in the spring when upwelling causes nutrients to come to the surface which are then consumed by plankton and other algae. A species named Pseudo-Nitzschia is the culprit behind domoic acid, and a warming Pacific Ocean is causing them to spread ever farther into the ocean. The highest ever recorded domoic acid reading was 52.3 micrograms per liter in San Pedro in 2011, which is 5 times higher than the amount that should cause concern.

This article is alarming and should be a call to action for the California government and scientists around the world. The large amount of toxic algae could be dangerous to our food supply and if it spreads far enough may even contaminate our irrigation systems, thus contaminating our food supply. The sheer mass of algae alone should spur change in how we are acting in regards to the algal blooms that have been appearing near us. It is also shocking that San Pedro has had such a high toxicity level for so long yet we have gone quiet on the issue.

NBC7. (2018, September 03). State Water Board Warns Pet Owners of Algal Blooms. Retrieved February 17, 2019, from https://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/State-Water-Board-Warns-Pet-Owners-of-Algal-Blooms-492190321.html

By late August 2018 six people had become sick and twelve animals had either died or fallen ill due to algal blooms in California. The California Water Board listed eight steps designed to prevent falling sick due to an algal bloom. The board also conducted targeted sampling of eight different waterways in California and designed an interactive map to help spot algal blooms.

The board also provided a visual guide to show users how to spot a harmful algal bloom.

This article proves that there is a danger in algal blooms in dead zones that not only affect fish, but humans and other animals as well. People can also spot algal blooms easier due to the visual aid which is useful for our knowledge of how to prevent being affected by it. Algal blooms are dangerous and humanity must begin to take preventative measures against them.

Davenport, C. (2019, February 12). Top Leader at Interior Dept. Pushes a Policy Favoring His Former Client. Retrieved February 17, 2019, from  https://www.nytimes.com/2019/02/12/climate/david-bernhardt-endangered-species.html

A top official of the Interior Department of the U.S. named David Bernhardt has been attempting to reduce protections that have been made against the Delta Smelt which resides in deltas in San Francisco. He wishes to divert water that the smelt is kept in to farmers in California, but this could have some unintended consequences. It is not only against the EPA which requires that all environmental protection is based on the latest science which states that the smelt must be protected, but if the smelt does die off due to water diversion the area in which it was will become a toxic algal bloom that could kill a dog.

This is relevant to environmental science since the smelt is an endangered species that is an important part of its ecosystem. Not only that, but if they do die off they could cause a large dead zone in San Francisco which would not be ideal and would likely contaminate the already scarce water supply. To fix this the government must listen to its top scientists and realize that the smelt must be protected or there could be much larger problems on our hands than a lack of water for farmers.

Associated Press. (2018, June 22). Toxic algae blooms becoming more common across US. Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://nypost.com/2018/06/22/toxic-algae-blooms-becoming-more-common-across-us/

Reservoirs and lakes across the U.S. are experiencing algae blooms which affects the ecosystem in the area. Since water bodies are becoming warmer and staying that way for longer the algae blooms are able to continue to grow without much competition from other species. The cyanobacteria leads to the deaths of animals in the area due to hypoxia or toxins and can do the same thing to humans. More frequent droughts cause the waters to be shallower which leads to them getting warmer quicker in the summer. There are also several places getting algae blooms when they did not previously have them. Other water supplies can also be affected as can be seen when workers checked on one of their reservoirs and found a bloom.

This is relevant to environmental science since there is an increasing amount of algae blooms around the nation due to global warming. The increased warmth of the Earth has led to an increased amount of blooms in places that should not have them, but now that they are here they have to be dealt with for the sake of human health. The increased amount of shallow water bodies also does not help with algae blooms since shallow water gets warmer faster than deep water.

Martinez, A. (2018, November 5). South Florida Company Addressing Algal Blooms With Plastic Beads. Retrieved November 18, 2018, from http://www.wlrn.org/post/south-florida-company-addressing-algal-blooms-plastic-beads

A company from South Florida has been attempting to solve the algal bloom issue with microscopic beads. The strategy is that the plastic beads will absorb the phosphorus in the water so that the algae cannot absorb it and grow from it. This prevents the algae from growing to the same scale that it does now. Phosphorus is a catalyst for the growth of algae, and having a lack of it causes there to be less algae in the area.

This is relevant to environmental science because we have a new method of preventing the spread of algae blooms. This method can also be used to reduce phosphorus in other areas like groundwater and ponds to prevent excessive growth in plants. Since the algae will grow less fast there will be less of them in lakes and large water bodies.

NY State Says Algal Blooms Rarer, Though Possible, in Winter. (2018, November 4). Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/new-york/articles/2018-11-04/ny-state-says-algal-blooms-rarer-though-possible-in-winter

The state of New York will no longer issue harmful algal bloom warnings during the winter, but they will note that they can still occur. The algae in the blooms can make people sick since it feeds on phosphorus and nitrogen that could have come from farms and leaking septic systems. These harmful blooms can occur throughout the year but they are less likely to occur in colder temperatures since algae has trouble reproducing in cold weather.

This is relevant to environmental issues since we now know that algae blooms are less likely in cold weather. With the average temperature increasing yearly the amount of algae blooms will likely increase with it since reproduction is much easier for algae in warm weather. Knowing this we can attempt to reduce our carbon footprints and then hope for the best and that our fishing industries do not collapse.

Board Again Sidelines Kasich’s Order on Lake Erie Algae. (2018, November 1). Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/ohio/articles/2018-11-01/lake-eries-algae-bloom-much-less-severe-this-year

The state of Ohio is delaying governor John Kasich’s order to reduce farm fertilizer and manure feeding into Lake Erie to lessen the impact of algae blooms in the area. Kasich wants the commission to allow his agriculture director to declare eight watersheds in distress which would require 7,000 farms to evaluate their land and make changes to their farming practices. Farmers are concerned since they do not know how much this plan would cost.

This is relevant to environmental science since the algae bloom in Lake Erie could affect fishing in that area and the lake also most likely provides irrigation for the rest of the area. If there is algae in the lake it means that the water is contaminated and that the ecosystem of the lake is messed up. Reducing the amount of fertilizer used will prevent increased spread of the algae in the lake.

Merica, D., & Krieg, G. (2018, November 18). Bill Nelson concedes Florida Senate race to Rick Scott. Retrieved November 18, 2018, from https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/18/politics/bill-nelson-rick-scott-florida-recount-result/index.html ‘

Bill Nelson has lost the Senate race in Florida to Rick Scott. Bill Nelson has lost his reelection bid after a recount. The race went to a recount two weeks ago, but the recount did not help Nelson at all, only serving to establish Scott’s more than 12,000 vote lead. Among the policies of these two are voting rights for all, gun laws, and environmental policies which included attempts at the prevention of algae blooms. The algae blooms are currently impacting the state’s waterways.

This is relevant to environmental science since the more the politicians talk about algae blooms the more likely people are to actually speak out against it. More people speaking out against it might actually lead to action against it, but it is unlikely due to the slow pace of politics. It may take a long time for action, but any action is welcome at this point due to how much the algae affects fishing villages, especially in places like the Gulf of Mexico.