Marine Biotoxins Program
Overview
Listed under the NCCOS category of Extreme Events, harmful algal blooms (HABs) represent a present and growing threat to virtually all U.S. coastal waters. Potential impacts range from devastating economic effects to public health risks to ecosystem alterations. HABs, often referred to collectively as ‘red tides’, are most often of concern because of the extremely potent toxins they produce. When HAB toxins accumulate in marine animals they lead to closures of commercial and recreational fisheries, mass mortalities of birds, fish, and marine mammals, and human illness or death in extreme cases. The Marine Biotoxins Progam, located in laboratories at CCEHBR and Hollings Marine Laboratory, targets its research and services at issues related to these algal toxins and the organisms responsible for their production.
Research Portfolio
The Marine Biotoxins Program is a leader in research on marine algal toxins and the organisms that produce them. Research priorities are guided by the objectives of the U.S. National Plan on Marine Biotoxins and Harmful Algae.
Service Capabilities
Phytoplankton Monitoring Network
A volunteer network that monitors species composition and distribution of harmful algae in SC, GA, NC, TX and AL coastal waters, providing educational opportunities and community involvement in coastal stewardship.
Technology Transfer
Provides training to regulatory agencies and monitoring programs worldwide on:
- Rapid, high throughput in vitro assays
- Identification and culture of harmful algae
Toxin Standards
Produces purified toxins, metabolites and toxin reagents essential to define health hazards, develops test methods and calibrates instruments used to monitor toxins in our waters, seafood, protected species, and coastal residents.
