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Technical Documentation, State of the Ecosystem Report

10 Harmful Algal Bloom - Alexandrium Indicator

Description: Alexandrium catenella annual cyst abundance in the Gulf of Maine

Found In:: Northeast U.S. Ecosystem Indicator Catalog

Indicator category: Published methods, Database pull with analysis

Contributor(s): Yizhen Li, NOAA/NOS NCCOS Stressor Detection and Impacts Division, HAB Forecasting Branch, Silver Spring MD

Data steward: Moe Nelson

Point of contact: Moe Nelson

Public availability statement: Source data are NOT publicly available. Data were provided upon request by Yizhen Li. Data are also used in operational HAB forecast models, freely available to the public.

10.1 Methods

10.1.1 Data Sources

Alexandrium cysts in sediments of the Gulf of Maine have been monitored through a cooperative effort of NOAA, WHOI, and other partners for over twenty years. Sampling methods are described in Anderson et al. (2005). In the annual survey cruises, samples are obtained with a Craib corer, and Alexandrium cysts are counted from the top 1- cm of sediment layer. Results are extrapolated to estimate overall cyst abundance in the eastern, western, and entire Gulf of Maine.Results are reported as estimated total numbers of cells (10 to the 16th power) in Eastern Gulf of Maine (east of Penobscot Bay), Western Gulf of Maine (west of Penobscot Bay), Bay of Fundy (2003-2013 only), and entire Gulf of Maine.

10.1.2 Data Extraction

Tabular data provided by Yizhen Li, NOAA/NOS NCCOS Stressor Detection and Impacts Division, HAB Forecasting Branch.

10.1.3 Data Analysis

The spatial distribution and abundance of cyst cells from the annual survey are used to drive an ecosystem forecast model for the Gulf of Maine (Anderson et al. (2005), Li et al. (2009), Li et al. (2020), McGillicuddy et al. (2011)). The model also includes many other inputs of dynamic oceanographic data such as currents, temperature, and nutrients. Operational Harmful Algal Bloom forecast is served online at https://coastalscience.noaa.gov/research/stressor-impacts-mitigation/hab-forecasts/gulf-of-maine-alexandrium-catenella-predictive-models/.

10.1.4 Data Processing

Code for processing Alexandrium cyst data can be found here.

catalog link https://noaa-edab.github.io/catalog/habs.html

References

Anderson, Donald M., David M. Kulis, Bruce A. Keafer, Kristin E. Gribble, Roman Marin, and Christopher A. Scholin. 2005. “Identification and Enumeration of Alexandrium Spp. From the Gulf of Maine Using Molecular Probes.” Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography 52 (19): 2467–90. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr2.2005.06.015.
Li, Yizhen, Ruoying He, Dennis J. McGillicuddy, Donald M. Anderson, and Bruce A. Keafer. 2009. “Investigation of the 2006 Alexandrium Fundyense Bloom in the Gulf of Maine: In-Situ Observations and Numerical Modeling.” Continental Shelf Research 29 (17): 2069–82. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csr.2009.07.012.
Li, Yizhen, Richard P. Stumpf, D. J. McGillicuddy, and Ruoying He. 2020. “Dynamics of an Intense Alexandrium Catenella Red Tide in the Gulf of Maine: Satellite Observations and Numerical Modeling.” Harmful Algae 99: 101927. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hal.2020.101927.
McGillicuddy, Jr., D. J., D. W. Townsend, R. He, B. A. Keafer, J. L. Kleindinst, Y. Li, J. P. Manning, D. G. Mountain, M. A. Thomas, and D. M. Anderson. 2011. “Suppression of the 2010 Alexandrium Fundyense Bloom by Changes in Physical, Biological, and Chemical Properties of the Gulf of Maine.” Limnology and Oceanography 56 (6): 2411–26. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4319/lo.2011.56.6.2411.