Projects Explorer

The NCCOS Project Explorer provides a snapshot of our official, discrete lines of research.
Filter by research category, region, and/or contact.

Defining Domoic Acid Epileptic Disease

Domoic acid epileptic disease, a central nervous system disorder caused by the algal toxin domoic acid (DA), first showed up in humans in a 1987 ...

Deposition and Resuspension of Alexandrium fundyense Resting Cysts in the Gulf of Maine: Phase II

Toxins from annual blooms of Alexandrium fundyense accumulate in shellfish; shellfish harvesting closures protect human health, but are economically disruptive. Seed-like cysts produced by A ...

Developing an Operational Sargassum HAB Monitoring and Forecasting System for the Southeastern U.S. and U.S. Caribbean

This project will improve the effectiveness of existing NOAA and partner Sargassum detection and forecasting capabilities, facilitate a better understanding of biochemical impacts associated with ...

Developing Biomarkers for Bloom Growth and Death in Florida Red Tides

The microscopic alga Karenia brevis causes harmful algal blooms (red tides) in the Gulf of Mexico. By studying the processes regulating the life cycle of ...

Developing Practical and Affordable Water Filtration Systems to Remove Cyanotoxins

We are testing the use of local, natural bacteria to destroy cyanotoxins. These toxins are produced by freshwater cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, and ...

Early Warning for Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning in the Gulf of Maine through Real Time in situ Characterization of Upstream Phytoplankton Blooms

This project will help mitigate HAB-related disruptions to highly productive Gulf of Maine shellfisheries with new knowledge, observing technology advances, and enhanced capacity to deliver ...

Ecophysiology and Toxicity of the Toxic Alga Heterosigma akashiwo in Puget Sound: A Living Laboratory Ecosystem Approach

We are identifying toxins and environmental factors causing fish-killing blooms by the alga Heterosigma akashiwo in Puget Sound. We develop tools to improve monitoring, early ...

Establishing the Sources of Toxic Cyanobacteria Blooms in the Great Lakes

Although phosphorus typically limits the growth of freshwater phytoplankton populations, little is known about how the common toxic alga Microcystis aeruginosa responds to variations in ...

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