HAB Community Structure
The goal of this objective is to identify the species that are responsible for harmful algal blooms as well as factors that cause their populations to shift and how they relate to other microorganisms in the Indian River Lagoon.
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Understanding which species of phytoplankton are present before, during and after blooms, as well as their physiological characteristics, is essential to defining what causes HABs. Traditional methods of detecting phytoplankton involve the use of various microscopic techniques, laser imaging technologies and cell staining dyes. Researchers use both field- and lab-based analyses to view, identify and enumerate phytoplankton cells. |
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Recently, advances in technology have allowed for better detection of microbial communities in the environment using DNA, the genetic material that makes up all living things. Â鶹ŮÀÉ Harbor Branch is unique in that it is utilizing these technologies to further understand HAB communities. DNA, collected from a water sample, can not only tell researchers which types of bacteria and phytoplankton are present in the area, but also if these organisms are capable of producing toxins harmful to wildlife or people. Using these methods, researchers hope to gain baseline information on coastal microbiomes, the interactions between them and how they relate to HAB events. |
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Lead PI: James Sullivan and Malcolm McFarland This project seeks to add phytoplankton and Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) monitoring to the Indian River Lagoon Observatory Network (IRLON) time series to enhance its scientific value and benefit its utility. Samples collected from the ten IRLON station sites at monthly intervals will be returned to HBOI for comprehensive analysis of phytoplankton composition, HAB species identification, and toxin analysis, if a HAB is detected. |
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Lead PI: James Sullivan and Malcolm McFarland HABs pose many major threats to the health and stability of the IRL, directly and indirectly impacting the integrity of many key components of the ecosystem such as seagrasses, drift algae, fish and marine mammals. This study aims to sample an array of 10 sites across the IRL using traditional phytoplankton monitoring techniques that will provide insight on the composition of phytoplankton communities, their abundance and identify any HAB species present. This project is being done in collaboration with University of Florida and St. Johns River Water Management District. |
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Lead PI: James Sullivan Three-dimensional holographic imaging is a powerful tool for identifying particles with unique shape characteristics, allowing researchers to distinguish between various types of phytoplankton and zooplankton. This project aims to design, build and test an autonomous holographic imaging system (AUTOHOLO) that can be deployed in various research settings to better identify and profile harmful algal blooms. |
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Lead PI: Greg O’Corry-Crowe During a HAB event, the ability to quickly detect and gain information about a bloom is crucial. In addition to traditional sampling methods, researchers at Â鶹ŮÀÉ Harbor Branch are using cutting- edge technologies, like nanopore sequencing, to rapidly analyze genetic material associated with HABs. The Oxford Nanopore MinION is a portable device that is smaller than a pen and has been used in some of the most extreme environmental conditions including the Artic, Antarctic, remote rainforests and even outer space! Equipped with this technology, researchers can respond to bloom events throughout the Indian River Lagoon and generate critical data. |
Project Overviews: Microbiome of the IRL
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Lead PI: Peter McCarthy An environment's microbiome is composed of thousands of microscopic species like bacteria, fungi, viruses and phytoplankton. The interactions between these organisms play a critical role in environmental processes, which can be affected by both natural and anthropogenic factors. This project aims to identify members of the bacterial microbiome and identify how they are interacting with phytoplankton in the Indian River Lagoon. Researchers will also determine how bacteria impact the production of toxins and if they can be indicators of the start or decline of a harmful algal bloom. |
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Lead PI: Peter McCarthy DNA is the genetic material that makes up all living things. Genetic barcoding is a technique that can be used to identify individual organisms by sequences unique to their DNA. Researchers can extract genetic material from IRL water samples to identify which members of the microbial community, including bacteria and phytoplankton, are present before, during and after a harmful algal bloom. DNA can also be used to better understand how these organisms interact with one another and their potential to create harmful toxins. |