UUNIOZ_Harmful Algal Blooms

Have they really become more frequent?

Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are phenomena caused by the proliferation of (micro)organisms in a water body. HABs can negatively affect human health (toxins production), the socio-economic sectors (fishery, tourism), ecosystems and the environment. There is growing concern that global climate change and anthropogenic impact are causing an increase in the frequency and intensity of HABs. Florida coastal waters are HAB hotspots, notorious for recurrent blooms of the toxic dinoflagellates (microscopic phytoplanktonic organisms) Karenia brevis and Pyrodinium bahamense. Whether HABs have indeed recently increased depends on knowing their past occurrence, their response to environmental changes on timescales matching and preceding human influence. This project applies a wide array of tools (from genomic to paleoecology) to provide the missing long-term perspective to Florida HABs.

Joint research

This project is part of the joint research of Utrecht University and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research concerning the functioning of (coastal) seas and oceans.  Pairs of scienists will carry out interdisciplinary research into pressing scientific and societal issues that tie in with the strategic themes of both organisations. In addition to the Faculties of Science and Geosciences, also the Faculties of Law, Economics and Governance, and Veterinary Medicine of the UU are involved. The projects are part of the agreement to intensify the collaboration UU-NIOZ (2016-2025), funded by UU.

Project information

Research leaders 
Dr. Laura Villanueva (NIOZ)
Dr. Francesca Sangiorgi (Utrecht University)

Theme 
Sustainable functioning of Coastal and Shelf Seas
Ocean of Discovery
Our Future Ocean

UU-NIOZ project page
For more information on this project and other UU-NIOZ projects, visit the joint UU-NIOZ project page 

Meet the team
Below you find the NIOZ employee(s) working in this team. For a complete overview including Utrecht University team members visit the joint UU-NIOZ project page