IMPACT OF HARMFUL ALGAL BLOOMS ON SEA TURTLE HEALTH
by Lynda F. Rysavy | Thursday, Mar 26, 2020
FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Research Professors Annie Page and Matthew Ajemian team with biologists at Loggerhead Marinelife Center and Inwater Research Group to better understand how exposure to toxin-producing harmful algal bloom (HAB) species impact sea turtle health in Florida's coastal waters.
The study published in Toxicon: X, establishes concentrations of 10 HAB toxins in plasma samples from green turtles (Chelonia mydas) foraging in Florida's Big Bend. Domoic acid, lyngbyatoxin-A, microcystins, nodularin, and okadaic acid were detected, demonstrating exposure to these HAB toxins, which are also a public health concern.
The research was funded by a grant from the HBOI Foundation, as part of the Florida Center for Coastal and Human Health.
Work was conducted by authorized individuals under NOAA-NMFS permit #21169, FWC Marine Turtle Permits #139 and #204.