Transfer and fate of harmful algal bloom (hab) toxins in european marine waters

Objective

The project focuses on the fate of algal toxins from cyanobacteria (nodularin), haptophytes (ichthyotoxins), dinoflagellates (ichthyotoxins, paralytic Shellfish Poisoning (PSP)), Diarrhoeic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) and diatoms (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning (ASP)) at different tropic levels in the water column and at the water-sediment interface, and how the increase of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) toxin content in connection to eutrophication and unbalanced N: P ratios has affected the marine ecosystems. FATE will investigate different pathways of toxin transport i.e. if the algal cells are; a) degraded in the water column by bacteria, b) grazed by zooplankton and cultured shellfish in the water column orc) sink to the bottom and accumulate in benthic organisms e. g. shellfish. Spraying clay and introducing mussel curtains in the water column will test small-scaled mitigation of HAB toxin transfer to aquaculture.

Programme(s)

• FP5-EESD - Programme for research, technological development and demonstration on "Energy, environment and sustainable development, 1998-2002"

Topic(s)

• 1.1.4.-3. - Key action Sustainable Marine Ecosystems

Funding Scheme

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinator

University of Kalmar

Address

Barlastagatan 1
391 82 Kalmar
Sweden

Participants (8)

FINNISH ENVIRONMENTAL INSTITUTE

Finland

Address

Kesaekatu 6
00251 Helsinki

FRIEDRICH-SCHILLER-UNIVERSITAET JENA

Germany

Address

Dornburger Strasse 25
07743 Jena

HELLENIC CENTRE FOR MARINE RESEARCH

Greece

Address

46,7 Km Athens-sounion Avenue
19013 Anavyssos

UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI

Finland

Address

10900 Hanko

UNIVERSITY OF TARTU

Estonia

Address

Lai Street 40
51005 Tartu

UNIVERSITY OF TROMSOE

Norway

Address

201 B,breivika
9037 Tromsoe

UNIVERSITY OF VIGO

Spain

Address

Campus Lagoas-marcosende
36200 Vigo

WOODS HOLE OCEANOGRAPHIC INSTITUTION

United States

Address

Water Street 86
02543 Woods Hole