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A National Ocean Service/National Center for Coastal Ocean Science Program

Phytoplankton Monitoring Network

Promoting a better understanding of harmful algal blooms by way of volunteer monitoring

About Us

Steve Morton, PhD.

Dr. Steve MortonContact Information:

Clonal culture and taxonomy of Pfiesteria, Gambierdiscus, and other toxic dinoflagellates; Mass culture for toxin production

My research interests are two fold: the taxonomy and distribution of phytoplankton and the utilization of volunteers to monitor marine and estuarine phytoplankton. On the taxonomic side of my research we have described a number of new species isolated from the United States and throughout the world. We are also in the process of developing new microscopic methods utilizing scanning electron microscopy and confocal microscopy. The second part of my research is centered on the Phytoplankton Monitoring Network which is made up of volunteers ranging from middle school student to retired citizen groups.

Education
  • Ph.D., 1994, Plant Biology, Southern Illinois University
  • M.Sc., 1990, Biological Oceanography, Florida Institute of Technology
  • B.Sc., 1988, Biological Oceanography, Florida Institute of Technology
Professional Appointments
  • 1998-present: Research Oceanographer/Project Leader, NOAA/NOS, Marine Biotoxin Program
  • 1997-2001: Research Fellow, Smithsonian Institution Caribbean Coral Reef Ecosystem Program
  • 1996-1998: Curator, Provasoli-Guillard National Center for Culture of Marine Phytoplankton
  • 1996-1998: Research Scientist, Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science
  • 1994-1998: Post-Doctoral Research Scientist, Southern Illinois University
Professional Activities
  • 2005: Invited to participate in the International Symposium on Cyanobacterial Harmful Algal Blooms
  • 2000-present: Editorial Advisory Board, Journal of Harmful Algae
  • 2004-present: Scientific Board of Directors, The Living Black Sea
  • 2003: Local Organizing Committee Chairperson, National Plan for Marine Biotoxins and HABs.
Representative Publications
  • Morton, S.L., A. Vershinin, T. Leighfield, L. Smith, and M. Quilliam. 2007. Identification of yessotoxin in mussels from the Caucasian Black Sea coast of the Russian Federation. Toxicon 50: 581-584.
  • Maranda, L., S. Corwin, S. Dover, and S.L. Morton (2007). Prorocentrum lima (Dinophyceae) in the northeastern USA coastal waters II: Toxin load in the epibiota and in shellfish. Harmful Algae 6(5): 623-631.
  • Vershinin, A., S.L. Morton, S. Pankov, L. L. Smith, M. Quilliam, and J. Ramsdell. (2006) Alexandrium in the Black Sea-Identity, Ecology and PSP-Toxicity. African Journal of Maine Science. 28(2): 209-214.
  • Vershinin, A., A. Moruchkov, S.L. Morton, T. Leighfield, M. Quilliam, and J. Ramsdell. (2006) Phytoplankton of Kandalaksha Gulf of the White Sea: Dinophysis and lipophilic toxins in blue mussels (Mytilus edulis). Harmful Algae (5) 558-564.
  • Hsia, M.H., S.L. Morton, L.L. Smith, K.R. Beuchesne, K.M.Huncik, P.D.R. Moeller. 2006. Production of goniodomin A by the planktonic, chain-forming dinoflagellate Alexandrium monilatum (Howell) Balech isolated from the Gulf Coast of the United States. Harmful Algae 5:290-299.