Optical tagging and tracking of water masses for prediction of human health hazards Pete Strutton College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Oregon State University Michelle Wood, Brittany Scott and Andy Ohana-Richardson Department of Biology, University of Oregon
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Optical tagging and tracking of water masses for prediction of human health hazards
Optical tagging and tracking of water masses for prediction of human health hazards. Pete Strutton College of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences Oregon State University Michelle Wood, Brittany Scott and Andy Ohana-Richardson Department of Biology, University of Oregon. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Optical tagging and tracking of water masses for prediction of human health hazards
Pete StruttonCollege of Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences
Oregon State University
Michelle Wood, Brittany Scott and Andy Ohana-RichardsonDepartment of Biology, University of Oregon
Background and General Approach
• Increasing frequency and persistence of HABs– Anthropogenic impacts, climatic shifts, ballast water dispersal
• Monitoring programs exist, but are not pro-active• Off Oregon the main toxic species are:
• Performed for saxitoxin (PSP) for 5 sites spanning the OR coast• Determined that closure levels of saxitoxin are often associated
with downwelling conditions - toxin brought close to the coast• By monitoring blooms by satellite and upwelling conditions (local
meteorology) we can better target sampling.• Analysis works poorly for DA (retention) but same principle
Upwelling/Downwelling and Coastal Impacts
~10s km
N P Si Fe
toxic impact
Education and Outreach
• Significant public interest in the project because of the connection to recreational shellfish harvesting
– Press release in 2005 yielded significant coverage• At least 3 Oregon newspapers + OSU and UO university papers• Local TV and radio• Article in NIEHS’ Environmental Health Perspectives
• Two graduate students currently involved• Undergraduate, satellite data processing, summer 2005• High school student and undergraduate involvement for 2006• Short course on HABs at UO’s OIMB, July 2006• Collaboration with CoastWatch: Preliminary products
Accomplishments to date and future work
• Retrospective analysis of Oregon Dept of Agriculture toxin data– Confirms Heceta Bank (and Columbia) as HAB hot spots– Have begun coupling these data with SeaWiFS chlorophyll– Next step: Go beyond chlorophyll to spectral signatures– Include analysis of fronts: both chlorophyll and temperature
• Large-scale event in 2005, with record Domoic Acid concentrations observed onshore
– in situ sampling of this bloom coupled with remote sensing• Established collaborations with WA and CA colleagues
– Strengthen these ties in the interest of standardized methods• Expanded in situ sampling and collaboration with CoastWatch in 2006
Increasing toxicity of Oregon events
Note: 2005 DA concentrations were highest ever observed
Increasing PSP toxicity associated with El Niño
El Niño La Niña
Also some evidence for increasing toxicity at interannual scales
2005: Highest domoic acid concentrations observed
2000, 2001: Highest saxitoxin years on record
Retention of Domoic Acid by Shellfish
Results from Juan de Fuca work
• Transport events from the JdF to the WA coast are frequently observed.
• Delivery of seed populations to the coast by (1) direct advection, (2) switch to downwelling winds, or (3) sinking and upwelling of cells.
• Despite the absence of a clear optical signal for Pseudonitzschia, radiance spectra can be used to track masses.
• Satellite data monitoring could enhance shore-based sampling and management.