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#           Interdisciplinary science approach for harmful algal blooms (HABs) and algal toxins—A strategic science vision for the U.S. Geological Survey      

      May 23, 2024    

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Executive Summary

Algal blooms in water, soils, dusts, and the environment have captured national attention because of concerns associated with exposure to algal toxins for humans and animals. Algal blooms naturally occur in all surface-water types and are important primary producers for aquatic ecosystems. However, excessive algae growth can be associated with many harmful effects ranging from aesthetic to toxicity concerns, so this excessive growth is commonly called a harmful algal bloom (HAB).

Ecological imbalances that can lead to excessive algal growth, such as increased nutrient availability to waterbodies from natural and anthropogenic sources, are well documented in scientific literature. On the other hand, fundamental scientific understandings of environmental causes and controls leading to algal toxin production, environmental exposures, and adverse health outcomes for humans and animals could benefit from more attention by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists. Understanding when, why, and how the toxin is produced by individual algal cells or communities and why the toxin is released to the surrounding waterbody requires fundamental research to determine a toxin’s role, whether it provides competitive advantage or if other potential reasons exist for toxin production and release, such as secretions from otherwise benign biological processes. This research will require groundbreaking scientific discovery about underlying biologic and abiotic (non-living) processes commonly complicated by local variation in land use, microbial species composition, and ecosystem structure of the surrounding watershed.

Although underlying processes by which HABs form may be similar from one waterbody to another, individual waterbodies may be controlled by local factors for HAB development and toxin production that are unique to the watershed. Consequently, many fundamental science gaps exist that prevent informed mitigation and prevention of toxic HAB events. There are also gaps in understanding local conditions that control algal growth unique to specific watersheds. Addressing these science gaps is needed to inform evidence-based decisions that protect human and animal health and that reduce recreational and socioeconomic losses.

## Citation Information

## Related Content

                  -              Connect           

#### Victoria Glenn Christensen, PhD

##### Research Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

vglenn@usgs.gov

763-783-3100

#### Christopher J Crawford, Ph.D.

##### Research Physical Scientist

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

cjcrawford@usgs.gov

605-594-2859

#### Robert Dusek

##### Wildlife Biologist/Epidemiologist

National Wildlife Health Center

rdusek@usgs.gov

608-270-2403

####             Michael Focazio, PhD (Former Employee)          

##### Environmental Health Program Coordinator

Ecosystems Mission Area

#### Lisa Reynolds Fogarty

##### Chief Science Officer

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

lrfogart@usgs.gov

517-887-8968

#### Jennifer L Graham, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

New York Water Science Center

jlgraham@usgs.gov

518-285-5706

#### Mari Titcombe Lee, PhD

##### Supervisory Chemist

Water Resources Mission Area

melee@usgs.gov

303-236-3940

#### James Larson

##### Research Fisheries Biologist

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

jhlarson@usgs.gov

608-781-6268

#### Sarah Stackpoole

##### Research Ecologist

Water Resources Mission Area

sstackpoole@usgs.gov

303-236-0271

#### Emily J Pindilli, Ph.D.

##### Science and Decisions Center Director

Science and Decisions Center

epindilli@usgs.gov

703-648-5732

#### Barnett Rattner, Ph.D.

##### Research Physiologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

brattner@usgs.gov

301-497-5671

#### Timothy Reilly

##### Environmental Health Deputy Program Coordinator

Ecosystems Mission Area

tjreilly@usgs.gov

609-771-3962

## Related Content

#### Victoria Glenn Christensen, PhD

##### Research Hydrologist

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

vglenn@usgs.gov

763-783-3100

#### Christopher J Crawford, Ph.D.

##### Research Physical Scientist

Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center 

cjcrawford@usgs.gov

605-594-2859

#### Robert Dusek

##### Wildlife Biologist/Epidemiologist

National Wildlife Health Center

rdusek@usgs.gov

608-270-2403

####             Michael Focazio, PhD (Former Employee)          

##### Environmental Health Program Coordinator

Ecosystems Mission Area

#### Lisa Reynolds Fogarty

##### Chief Science Officer

Upper Midwest Water Science Center

lrfogart@usgs.gov

517-887-8968

#### Jennifer L Graham, Ph.D.

##### Research Hydrologist

New York Water Science Center

jlgraham@usgs.gov

518-285-5706

#### Mari Titcombe Lee, PhD

##### Supervisory Chemist

Water Resources Mission Area

melee@usgs.gov

303-236-3940

#### James Larson

##### Research Fisheries Biologist

Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center

jhlarson@usgs.gov

608-781-6268

#### Sarah Stackpoole

##### Research Ecologist

Water Resources Mission Area

sstackpoole@usgs.gov

303-236-0271

#### Emily J Pindilli, Ph.D.

##### Science and Decisions Center Director

Science and Decisions Center

epindilli@usgs.gov

703-648-5732

#### Barnett Rattner, Ph.D.

##### Research Physiologist

Eastern Ecological Science Center

brattner@usgs.gov

301-497-5671

#### Timothy Reilly

##### Environmental Health Deputy Program Coordinator

Ecosystems Mission Area

tjreilly@usgs.gov

609-771-3962

### Contact

####               Earth Resources Observation and Science (EROS) Center          

47914 252nd StreetSioux Falls, SD57198United States

custserv@usgs.gov

800-252-4547

####               Kansas Water Science Center          

1217 Biltmore DriveLawrence, KS66049United States

(785) 842-9909

####               National Wildlife Health Center          

6006 Schroeder RoadMadison, WI53711-6223United States

asknwhc@usgs.gov

608-270-2400

608-270-2415

#### New Jersey Water Science Center

3450 Princeton PikeSuite 110Lawrenceville, NJ08648United States

(609) 771-3900

(609) 771-3915

####               New York Water Science Center          

425 Jordan RoadTroy, NY12180-8349United States

dc_ny@usgs.gov

(518) 285-5695 

(518) 285-5601

####             Water Resources Mission Area - Headquarters        

USGS Headquarters12201 Sunrise Valley DriveReston, VA20192United States

####               Upper Midwest Water Science Center - Madison, WI, Office          

1 Gifford Pinchot DriveMadison, WI53726United States

608-828-9901

608-821-3817