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Effective HAB prevention and control must consider the HAB species, their toxicity, the causes of the bloom, how the species interact with their environment, as well as the resulting environmental and socio-economic impacts. NCCOS research scientists and external grant-supported researchers are engaging with key partners and stakeholders to develop, test, and transition novel technologies at various scales.
What We're Doing
Control
Control of harmful algal blooms
requires developing technologies
that can stop, disrupt, or restrict the
life cycles of algal cells; remove
cells from the water column so they
settle to the bottom; or physically
collect and remove algae.
Development of strategies to date
has been challenging. Our science
has focused primarily on the use of
biological and physical technologies
to control HABs, in particular the
use of nanobubbles, algicides and
flocculants. We have recently
initiated a national level control
technology incubator to accelerate
the development and quick
assessment of control strategies.
Prevention
Not all harmful algal blooms can be
prevented, but some may with
better management of human
activities that lead to reduction of
excess nutrients and improved
habitat conditions. NCCOS has
capabilities to help develop
technologies that can help monitor
and remove nutrients in ecosystems
in order to restore habitats.
Although NCCOS does not have
authority to support activities that
directly manage nutrients or restore
habitats, our science seeks to
understand the connection of
blooms to human activities and how
management strategies will affect
the amount of nutrients in the
ecosystem.
Mitigation
Similar to impacts, the type and
level of mitigation efforts are also
dependent on which species
caused the bloom, where it
occurred, its duration, and how big
it spread. Mitigation measures vary
from public communication and
education campaigns to application
of specialized water treatment
methods. Our scientists work to
develop mitigation strategies across
the many types, particularly
detection and forecasting
technologies for early warning and
drinking water treatment to
eliminate toxins.
Our Approach
Through a variety of methods, our researchers work with partners to identify HAB causes, develop effective control strategies, and transfer technologies for mitigation strategies.
HAB Prevention and Control
HAB Causes
Biological Control
Physical Control
How It Happens
Laboratory Research
Partnerships
While our research, scientists, and funding programs help develop technologies to prevent, control, and mitigate HABs, no entity alone can tackle the issue. As such, we partner with scientists from other NOAA offices, federal agencies, state management agencies, academia, and the private sector. To ensure that our activities are responsive to societal needs, we work with the relevant stakeholder and end user groups so that our research results are both actionable and timely, bringing effective solutions to this national level problem. Visit the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act page to learn more about the Interagency Working Group that helps tackle the issue.