1. Killer Algae:The use of tracking analyst to study Red Tides Harris Muhlstein

2. What are red tides? Blooms of phytoplankton Water becomes discolored (redish,brown, green, etc.) Blooms associated with shellfish toxicity and fish kills. Recognized since biblical times

3. Karenia brevis Red tide dinoflagellate Occurs in Gulf of Mexico & SE Atlantic Brevatoxins: potent to fish and mammals Cause asthma-like symptoms when aerosolized NSP

4. Karenia brevis background concentrations: 1-100 cells/L Fish kills: 100-200 cells/mL Shell fish beds closed: 5 cells/mL

5. Data UTMSI established a multi-year sampling regime at 5 stations along the Texas coast Sampling coordinated with TPWD and The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation November 98 – April 01 Bi-monthly sampling Dates were standardized

7. Bolivar Roads Pass

9. 2000 Bloom Summer and Fall of 2000 Affected the entire Gulf Coast 6.5 million fish kills Economic loss = 4 million

11. August 5 2000

19. Early August 2000

20. October 20 th 2000

21. Conclusion Tracking analyst is limited for biological studies If improved, can be a valuable asset for researchers studying HABs

22. Big thank you to Dr. Maidment Questions or Comments?