NOAA's Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System in the Gulf of Mexico identifies whether or not a bloom of algae is likely to contain a toxic species, where it is, how big it is, where it's headed, and if it could become more severe in the near future. Like a weather forecast, this system provides officials advance warning to test and close beaches and shellfish beds more precisely and for a shorter period of time.

This system relies on satellite imagery, field observations, models, public health reports, and buoy data to provide information on bloom events. Forecasters create a public HAB conditions report using this data and information to provide the likelihood of respiratory irritation impacts to people in the area over the next three to four days.

In addition to the conditions report, NOAA issues a HAB Bulletin for federal, state, and local coastal resource managers. The bulletin includes a summary of present bloom conditions and boundaries based on water samples and satellite imagery. It forecasts whether or not conditions are favorable for bloom formation, where the bloom may go, and whether algae concentrations are likely to intensify in the near future.

Expert oceanographers at NOAA analyse available data and models in order to create accurate bulletins. To ensure the highest degree of accuracy, all operational HAB forecasts undergo secondary review prior to dissemination.

The Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System depends on the dedication, energy, and feedback from individuals at partner agencies and other organizations working on this issue. Blooms of harmful algae are not unique to the Gulf of Mexico, so NOAA continues to work with local agencies in Maine, Massachusetts, Ohio, Washington, Oregon, California and elsewhere in the U.S. to make new forecasts operational over the next five years.

For more information:
NOAA Harmful Algal Bloom Operational Forecast System

Explore: Harmful Algal Blooms

Diving Deeper podcast (10.7.09) - Harmful Algal Blooms

Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services

National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

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Less than one percent of algal blooms actually produce toxins. Harmful algal blooms are blooms of species of algae that can have negative impacts on humans, marine and freshwater environments, and coastal economies. These blooms occur when phytoplankton, which are tiny microscopic plants, grow quickly in large quantities while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds.

A bloom does not have to produce toxins in order to be harmful to the environment. It can also be harmful by causing anoxic conditions where oxygen is depleted from the water. Blooms can block light to organisms lower in the water column, or even clog or harm fish gills.

Not all algal blooms are harmful, some can actually be beneficial. Phytoplankton are found at the base of the marine food chain therefore all other life in the ocean relies on phytoplankton. Blooms can also be a good indicator of environmental change not only in the water, but also on land.

For more information:
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science
Diving Deeper Podcast, Episode 17 (Oct. 7, 2009) - What is a harmful algal bloom?

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Harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when colonies of algae—simple ocean plants that live in the sea—grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds.

While we know of many factors that may contribute to HABs, how these factors come together to create a 'bloom' of algae are not well understood.

Studies indicate that many algal species flourish when wind and water currents are favorable.

In other cases, HABs may be linked to 'overfeeding.' This occurs when nutrients (mainly phosphorus, nitrogen, and carbon) from sources such as lawns and farmlands flow downriver to the sea and build up at a rate that 'overfeeds' the algae that exist normally in the environment.

Some HABs have also been reported in the aftermath of natural phenomena like sluggish water circulation, unusually high water temperatures, and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, and drought.

People often get sick by eating shellfish containing toxins produced by these algae. Airborne HAB toxins may also cause breathing problems and, in some cases, trigger asthma attacks in susceptible individuals.

HABs can also be costly in economic terms as well. At present, HABs cause about $82 million a year in economic losses to the seafood, restaurant, and tourism industries each year. HABs reduce tourism, close beaches and shellfish beds, and decrease the catch from both recreational and commercial fisheries.

NOAA scientists continue to monitor and study HABs to determine how to detect and forecast the location of the blooms. The goal is to give coastal communities advance warning, so they can adequately plan and deal with the adverse environmental and health effects associated with a harmful bloom.

For more information:
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Harmful Algal Blooms, NCCOS Center for Sponsored Coastal Research
Phytoplankton Monitoring Network, NCCOS Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research
Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting, NCCOS Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment

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Harmful algal blooms, or HABs, occur when colonies of algae—simple ocean plants that live in the sea—grow out of control while producing toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. The human illnesses caused by HABs, though rare, can be debilitating or even fatal.

While many people call these blooms 'red tides,' scientists prefer the term harmful algal bloom. One of the best known HABs in the nation occurs nearly every summer along Florida’s Gulf Coast. This bloom, like many HABs, is caused by microscopic algae that produce toxins that kill fish and make shellfish dangerous to eat. The toxins may also make the surrounding air difficult to breathe. As the name suggests, the bloom of algae often turns the water red.

HABs have been reported in almost every U.S. coastal state, and their occurrence may be on the rise. HABs are a national concern because they affect not only the health of people and marine ecosystems, but also the 'health' of local and regional economies.

But not all algal blooms are harmful. Most blooms, in fact, are beneficial because the tiny plants are food for animals in the ocean. In fact, they are the major source of energy that fuels the ocean food web.

A small percentage of algae, however, produce powerful toxins that can kill fish, shellfish, mammals and birds, and may directly or indirectly cause illness in people. HABs also include blooms of non-toxic species that have harmful effects on marine ecosystems. For example, when masses of algae die and decompose, the decaying process can deplete oxygen in the water, causing the water to become so low in oxygen that animals either leave the area or die.

Scientists at the National Ocean Service have been monitoring and studying this phenomenon for a number of years to determine how to detect and forecast the location of the blooms. The goal is to give communities advance warnings so they can adequately plan for and deal with the adverse environmental and health affects associated with these 'red-tide' events.

For more information:
NOAA's National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS)
Harmful Algal Blooms, NCCOS Center for Sponsored Coastal Research
Phytoplankton Monitoring Network, NCCOS
Harmful Algal Bloom Forecasting, NCCOS Center for Coastal Monitoring and Assessment

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