Volunteer Monitoring Network Identification of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Provides Validation Support to HAB Forecasting to Alert Coastal Managers
On September 6, a multi-species algal bloom of Pseudo-nitzschia was simultaneously observed by satellite imagery and Southeast Phytoplankton Monitoring Network (SEPMN) students of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina, Two centers from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) collaborated to positively identify Pseudo-nitzschia species in samples and use imagery to show the bloom developed after August 30, appearing to originate at the coast, rather than offshore. The identification of this multi-species bloom in North Carolina waters is the first example showing that data generated by SEPMN volunteers provide observations and validation for a HAB forecasting capability along the Southeastern coast of the U.S.
Related NCCOS Center(s): CCMA
Related Region(s): North Carolina
Shorter web link for sharing: http://coastalscience.noaa.gov/news/?p=1052
