Sensors for Monitoring Harmful Algae, Cyanobacteria and Their Toxins

9 b. Biology Coastal and freshwater systems often harbor multiple harmful algal species and toxins, which would benefit from assays and/or platforms that are multiplex in nature, as it is highly desirable to have the ability to detect the full suite of organism(s) and toxin(s) present. The importance of detection across multiple matrices (e.g. including benthic and water column communities) should not be overlooked. Another angle of HAB biology that is ripe for detection methodologies is trophic transfer (e.g. shellfish) and exposures to multiple species within the food web. This aspect of HAB research would open up much needed information on bloom initiation, persistence, and decline. Successful integration of sensor technologies depends on being able to couple biology and physics, towards fruitful measurements of the in situ ecology of HAB species and their toxins. c. Public Health One of the ultimate goals for management entities is the monitoring and prediction of HAB species that can affect human health (e.g. respiratory issues from brevetoxin [ Karenia brevis ], gastrointestinal issues from shellfish contaminated with okadaic acid [ Dinophysis spp. ]). In many instances, we currently have little knowledge of the ecosystem and health impacts of acute or chronic sub-regulatory (no-alert state) toxin exposures. Given our lack of knowledge/understanding about some HABs, some toxin exposure risks are considered to be ‘theoretical’ in terms of what effects they ‘could’ potentially have. There is a need to increase awareness about HABs, perhaps through improved efforts for inclusion of epidemiologists and other health care practitioners within the context of multidisciplinary research and monitoring. This group can greatly enhance data sets with regards to reports of human health clusters that may be associated with exposure to HAB toxins. Some areas have developed these relationships outside of the HAB community (e.g. Florida). Increased knowledge among doctors (and other health care practitioners, clinics, etc.) about symptomology could serve to fill a gap in awareness between environmental exposure and illness. Health advisories are a useful strategy for focusing on the connection to and the need for environmental monitoring. This in turn garners support from the public for the need for funding these initiatives (e.g. Gulf of Mexico and Lake Erie HAB forecasts). The synergy of these efforts would advance us towards long-term sustained funding to protect human health from toxic HAB events. There was discussion about how sensor users should/can alert the public regarding detection of HABs, as they can serve as an early warning by providing continuous detection results (cells and/or toxin). These needs are being met regionally, with some states having a tight collaboration between technology users, researchers, and state officials. For example, in Texas researchers are working with state health officials for early warning of HABs. IFCB data downloading, processing, and classification have been automated for the Texas sites, so when HAB species abundance exceeds a threshold (currently set at 2 cells/ml to avoid too many false positives), an automated email is sent to the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) and the Department of State Health Services (DHSH). Messages include information on cell abundance and a link to the IFCB dashboard (toast.tamu.edu ) so that state officials from TPWD and DHSH can confirm identifications (Campbell et al. 2013). This approach allows state officials to be prepared for response. Since 2007, the IFCB has provided early warning of 8 HAB events to TPWD and DSHS, and there have been no reported human illnesses.