{"id":887,"date":"2018-09-20T18:05:08","date_gmt":"2018-09-20T22:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.whoi.edu\/site\/andersonlab\/?page_id=887"},"modified":"2026-03-20T14:25:18","modified_gmt":"2026-03-20T18:25:18","slug":"arctic-habs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www2.whoi.edu\/site\/andersonlab\/current-projects\/arctic-habs\/","title":{"rendered":"Origin and Fate of HABs in the Arctic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\n\t\tOrigin and Fate of HABs in the Arctic\n\t<\/h3>\n

Warming ocean temperatures and decreasing ice cover will likely expand the spatial and temporal window for HABs in the Arctic.<\/h3>\n

Multiple HAB toxins are present in the Arctic food web, evidenced by observations of toxins and toxic cells in the region as well as high prevalence of algal toxins in harvested and stranded marine mammals. Human health and ecosystem impacts could be significant in a region where traditional monitoring programs for toxins in shellfish or fish are not feasible. We are working to establish baseline data on the distribution and dynamics of HABs in the Arctic, with a focus on understanding where these blooms originate.<\/p>\n

Although many organisms may spread into Arctic waters as a result of the warming trends, few present such significant threats to human and ecosystem health as the dinoflagellate Alexandrium catenella, <\/i>which causes a condition known as paralytic shellfish poisoning (PSP). A defining characteristic of Alexandrium <\/i>is the ability to overwinter in a benthic cyst stage, allowing survival during the harsh Arctic winter. As part of our efforts we are mapping the distribution of these cysts, which will inform conceptual models of bloom origination. Of additional significant concern are diatoms in the genus Pseudo-nitzschia<\/i>, which produce domoic acid responsible for amnesic shellfish poisoning (ASP).<\/p>\n

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Ice off the bow of the USCG Healy (August 2018)<\/p><\/div>\n

A further objective of this research involves the collection and analysis of sediment cores in order to determine historical presence of HAB species. By reconstructing this history we will work to understand the context of current bloom events.<\/p>\n

To date, we have conducted sampling on research cruises to Greenland and the Alaskan Arctic. This includes three cruises aboard the US Coastguard Cutter Healy, the largest vessel in the Coast Guard fleet. During our most recent expedition in July-August 2019 as part of the Distributed Biological Observatory (DBO) cruise, members of the Anderson Lab sampled as part of an interdisciplinary team alongside researchers studying subjects ranging from benthic ecology to ocean acidification. Through collaboration with other Arctic researchers we will work to track algal toxins through the food web and develop conceptual models that can be used to assess implications of future warming and how this may impact risk from toxic algae to humans and wildlife in this region.<\/p>\n

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Collection of sediment cores for cyst processing (Healy 1801, August 2018)<\/p><\/div>\n

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Funding Agencies<\/h3>\n

Supported by the Cooperative Institute for the North Atlantic Region (CINAR<\/a>) (NA14OAR4320158) and by the National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (OPP-1823002).<\/p>\n

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Partners\/Collaborators<\/h3>\n

Collaborators include Robert Pickart<\/a> (WHOI), Kate Hubbard<\/a> (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), and Kathi Lefebvre<\/a> (NOAA)<\/p>\n\t

Related Links<\/h3>\n