1. By: Amanda Stewart Katie Buckner Katie Kennedy Maggie Walters
Pfiesteria
By:
Amanda Stewart
Katie Buckner
Katie Kennedy
Maggie Walters

2. Description of Problem
Pfiesteria, a toxic dynoflagellate, is causing fish kills and lesions, and is also harmful to humans.

3. Fish
Fish aren’t killed by infection of Pfiesteria but by the toxins it releases.
Lesion- any sore, wound or area of disease tissue.
Fish Kill- When more than a few dozen fish die over a short period of time (hrs or days)

4. Humans Alter Personalities Confusion
Cognitive Impairment (serious difficulty being able to read, remember one’s name, dial a phone number, or do simple arithmetic)
Short Term Memory Loss
Neurological Disorder
Itches
Sores
Skin Burns
Memory Lapses

5. Background and History
Discovered by JoAnn Burkholder in 1988.
Three other Pfiesteria-like organisms.
Dr. Burkholder has suffered effects of Pfiesteria.
Full name - Pfiesteria Piscicida (named for Dr. Lois Pfiester)

6. Life Cycle Pfiesteria has 24 stages of life.
Each stage is effected by the presence or removal of fish.
Form transformation trigger by fish secretion
Reproduces while eating
Normally exists in a non-toxic form

7. Causes Excess nutrients coming from… Chicken and Hog Farms
Fish excrements
Animal wastes contains phosphorus & nitrogen Watershed Runoff

8. Location Mostly found off of the east coast in…
Estuaries and coastal rivers

9. Related problems Fish Industry: Water Quality: Bad Fish Recreation
Swimming Area
Recreation
and tourism
Pollution
Fish Industry:
Bad Fish
(Less than 1% effected)
Income $

10. What can we Do? Stricter Laws for Hog Farms
Regulate the amount of hogs
Help prevent runoff
require waste to be treated
Stricter restrictions on companies that produce waste
Don’t allow dumping near water
Control how waste is disposed of
control use of phosphorus and animal waste in fertilizer

11. PROTECT
the Clean Water Act

12. So your water.....
Can be protected

13. People and Organizations
NCDENR
NOAA
ECOHAB
EPA
People
JoAnn Burkholder
Ed Noga
Howard Glasgow
Dr. Levin