Certain algae (i.e. Pseudo-nitzschia a and Alexandrium catenell) are capable of toxic or harmful algal blooms (HABs), releasing compounds (for example, domoic acid or saxitoxin), which can accumulate up the marine food chain. These toxins can cause severe illness and death in marine mammals, birds, and even humans. Another species, Lingulodinium polyedrum, is probably the most common dinoflagellate in the region and causes the red water often seen near the beach; when its population crashes, the decaying bloom consumes large amounts of oxygen in the surrounding water. This can cause hypoxia in regions with low circulation (ports, marinas, lagoons, etc.), resulting in fish kills. Scientists still do not know what conditions trigger a toxic algal species to bloom and produce toxin, but understanding complex coastal oceanographic processes is certainly a key to unraveling this mystery. It is also important for sustainably managing human use and enjoyment of the coast.

Recent Research

  • Funding: NOAA (2020-2022)

    Principal Investigators:

    • Bradley Moore, Ph.D., University of California San Diego  
    • Andrew Allen, Ph.D., University of California San Diego

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  • Funding: California Ocean Protection Council funded research project (2018-2021)

    Principal Investigators:

    • Holly Bowers, Ph.D., San Jose State University
    • Jason Smith, Ph.D., San Jose State University

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  • Funding: NOAA (2016-2018)

    Principal Investigators:

    • David A. Caron, Ph.D., University of Southern California
    • Avery O. Tatters, Ph.D., University of Southern California
    • Eric A. Webb, Ph.D., University of Southern California

    View Project Page

  • Funding: California Ocean Protection Council, 2018-2021

    Principal Investigators:

    • David Hutchins, Ph.D., University of Southern California  
    • Feixue Fu, Ph.D., University of Southern California

    View Project Page

  • Schulhof MA, Shurin JB, Declerck SAJ, Van de Waal DB. Phytoplankton growth and stoichiometric responses to warming, nutrient addition and grazing depend on lake productivity and cell size. Glob Chang Biol. 2019 Aug;25(8):2751-2762. Read the Publication

Community Engagement

Relevant Links

  • Author: Kyla Kelly; USC graduate student and Sea Grant Trainee
    Published: May 29, 2020

    Read the story here