News and Features by Research Area or Topic
Posted on May 8th, 2013 in Coastal Pollution, Pathogens & Microbes
Antibiotics may enter marine ecosystems from wastewater systems, agricultural run-off (particularly from concentrated animal farming operations), as well as direct release from aquaculture waters. NCCOS intern and University of South Carolina Masters of Public Health candidate, Keri Lydon presented findings from an NCCOS study focused on determining antibiotic resistance in the environment and overall risks to marine [...]
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Posted on May 7th, 2013 in Forensics, Outreach
Fifth grade students from a district-wide magnet school met with forensic scientists at the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s (NCCOS) Center for Coastal Environmental Health & Biomolecular Research Laboratory in Charleston, SC, for a question and answer session on marine wildlife issues. NCCOS’s Kathy Moore and Trey Knott teamed up with Special Agent Al [...]
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Posted on April 30th, 2013 in Climate Impacts, Coastal Pollution, Events, General Information, Outreach
The National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s (NCCOS) Cooperative Oxford Laboratory (COL) hosted an open house on April 27, 2013. The event showcased the NCCOS’ unique research and science partnerships with Maryland Department of Natural Resources, NOAA’s National Ocean Service, National Marine Fisheries Service and the US Coast Guard Station Oxford. Nearly 600 visitors came [...]
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Posted on April 22nd, 2013 in Forecasting, Harmful Algal Blooms, Monitoring & Event Response, Prevention, Control & Mitigation, Sensor Development
NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science and partners will conduct the first field test of an underwater robot using an NCCOS-developed toxin sensor that will enable remote, automated measurements of paralytic shellfish toxins (PSTs) produced by the dinoflagellate Alexandrium that causes toxic red tides in the Gulf of Maine (GOM). The robot, called the [...]
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Posted on April 8th, 2013 in Harmful Algal Blooms, Marine Biotoxin Impacts, Monitoring & Event Response, Prevention, Control & Mitigation
Seabirds in the Gulf of Mexico are subject to multiple hazards, such as pollutants and natural toxins, including algae-produced brevetoxin. NCCOS scientists who have pioneered the measurement of brevetoxin in live animals from blood collection cards brought this method into operation with wildlife managers in Florida to support health assessment and rehabilitation. These cards were [...]
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Posted on March 28th, 2013 in Ecology & Oceanography, Harmful Algal Blooms, Sensor Development
Two autonomous robotic Environmental Sample Processors capable of detecting the diatom Pseudo-nitzschia and its potent neurotoxin domoic acid were deployed off Huntington Beach, California in March as part of a novel ocean observing network. These underwater laboratories transmit data to shore from a toxin sensor designed by a researcher from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal [...]
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Posted on March 15th, 2013 in Harmful Algal Blooms, Human Health, International, Marine Biotoxin Impacts, Technology Transfer
A NOAA method to test for paralytic shellfish toxins will be demonstrated to scientists, regulators, policymakers, and industry representatives in Sydney, Australia from March 18-22. The technique, which was recently accepted as an Official Method of Analysis by the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, is a candidate for replacing the current approach for regulatory testing [...]
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Posted on March 11th, 2013 in Ecosystem Management, Harmful Algal Blooms, Human Health, Marine Biotoxin Impacts, Protected Species
A single-celled plant known as Gambierdiscus is responsible for the most common cause of harmful algae poisoning worldwide: ciguatera. The algae’s potent neurotoxin–called ciguatoxin–is found in over 400 species of fish and is conservatively estimated to sicken more than 50,000 people every year. Two years ago, researchers from NOAA’s National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science [...]
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